When I try to use the automatic security update page I keep geting the
following message, " the website has encountered a problem and cannot display
the page you are trying to view. " then it shows self help options that are
either useless or has nothing to do with the problem . ANy one else having
this problem with Wondows XP sev pack 3

Yes. Almost the same problem. The Service Pack 3 update (which takes forever)
gets near the end and errors out. Then everything has to be undone (which
takes forever) and the computer has to restart. The update notification icon
is always on and the SP3 always crashes. There is some way of getting help
after the crash but it seems random whether the link to help appears or not.
Couldn't find it this time.

You receive a "Windows Update has encountered an error and cannot display
the requested page" error message when you try to install an update:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883614

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com