Mike, as to your problem:
1. There seems to be several some what related issues going on. Firstly, I cannot download IE7. It almost completes and then stops downloading and says "access is denied". Secondly, I also cannot dwnload SP3. Same error message. Lastly , every day since April, automatic updates has been installing a security update "Security Update for Microsoft Windows XML Core Services 4.0 Service Pack 2 (KB936181). But after checking the control panel in added programs it never gets downloaded. I"ve tried at least 15 steps that the Microsoft support page suggested I try to no avail. I need help!
2. I'm having more and more problems with IE6 freezing up. The microsoft message suggests that i upgrade to IE7
I have Zone Alarm Security Suite which is always running so i do not suspect spyware or viruses.
If you will bear with me, I'd like to approach like this:
Let's try and find the problem with IE6.
Automatic updates:
First, tune off the Automatic Updates until we stabilize the system.
Control Panel> Security Center> Automatic Updates> CHECK 'turn off'> Apply> OK
Event Viewer:
Note the time of the IE freeze on your computer clock, then:
Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Event Viewer> click on Apps first, to open the Application log> look for Error corresponding with time of freeze> right click on the Error> Properties> Click on the Copy icon, top right, below the down arrow> Paste here (Ctrl V)
Do the same with the System Log.
Notes: Ignore Warnings. IF they don't resolve, they will become Errors. Ignore Information Event- they are normal
You will be seeing recurring Errors. IF they have the same ID#, the same Source and the same Description, I only need a copy of one of them. You do not need to include the lines of code in the box below the Description area, but include all else.
Malware:
Rest assured that having the ZoneAlarm Security Suite on the system does not guarantee that you are malware free. Some malware is programmed to turn off firewalls and prevent updates for security programs. Because of that, Please run just this one malware program and attach the log:
Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html
(if necessary, you can run this in Safe Mode)
Save to the desktop. Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
* Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
* Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
* The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
* Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
* When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
* The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
Extra Note:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process,if asked to restart the computer,please do so immediately.
Run the scan with Malwarebytes again> When the scan is complete, click OK, then 'Show Results' to view the results. Be sure that everything is checked, and click 'Remove Selected'.
When completed, a log will open in Notepad. Attach the log here.
Doing the two above will give us some idea of what we're dealing with. Hopefully others will give you a chance to complete these without further confusion. We will go from there.