This is my first post so please excuse any mistakes. What has been described here is certainly part of the problem I'm facing. It began when I realized that I was no longer getting Windows Updates and got an "Internet Explorer cannot display the page" every time I tried to access the Windows update site. It was a perfect storm. I'm using WindowsXP, had downloaded SP3 to ensure continuing updates and I had McAfee Security. After much digging, I discovered their dat 5958 fiasco (the svchost.exe is treated as a virus) and although I tried every single solution that Microsoft and McAfee offered, nothing fixed it. So, I completely uninstalled McAfee and switched to Norton under my husband's account. Now....I still can't access Windows Update and have discovered that I have all the symptoms of a root virus..... I have the "McVirus" and a root virus. Or....is it all the root virus?
I was at Bleeping Computer before I discovered you guys. Their solution for one soul ended with her computer crashing. I'd like to skip that or if I DO have to start over from scratch, be able to plan ahead.
Someone mentioned that he'd gotten an Malware update at Microsoft that fixed his problem. Is there a direct link for that, can I get it as a separate download or is it only available at Windows Updates? Right now, I'm more concerned about the root virus than the dat problem. I have no problem with the Internet except for accessing the Windows Update so if I can find another way to get that Malware update.....
Any help will be appreciated. I WILL brave Bleeping Computer, too. Thanks
[edit: Clarified subject.]