WinXP Pro-SP2-Windows Update Hangs

From: Adam Selene (AdamSelene_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 05/25/05 

Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 12:55:01 -0700

I've been trying to rescue a laptop that was infested with spyware. Among
the many behaviours this thing exhibits, I'm unable to perform a Windows
Update.

Launching Windows Update gets IE started and it hangs forever waiting to
load "http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com" (according to the IE status bar).

Account is local administrator, no domain involved, apparently no local
policies configured.

System is running Symantec Norton AntiVirus (9.0.0.338) and has a 2Wire
802.11b cardbus adapter with drivers & services.

Does anybody have a clue here?

-AS