raljones,

Thanks man, your method works for me! I have successfully updated and
installed TWO Critical updates waiting for me since August. I did have some
error messages regarding some of the programs I closed using Control Alt
Delete but I ignored them and like I said, got past the "looping" problem
when I went to Windows Update! Everything worked as before with a scan for
updates etc.

After the required reboot (for the updates to take effect) I tried once more
to get to Windows Update, but this time I got the 0% hang, so I re-did your
method with one exception. This time I just closed my "pop3 trap" instead of
all, using control alt delete. I tried yet again Windows Update and this
time NO 0% hang!!

I`m not sure which was the offending program, but it is quite clear that
this method worked for me. My only question now would be : Is this going to
be required now each time I attempt to update at Windows Update?

Thanks again for your help and I certainly hope others will have the same
success with this problem using your method!

Matt

"raljones" <raljones@cox.netxyz> wrote in message
news:033801c381fa$49d07070$a401280a@phx.gbl...