IN update purgatory and firewall balloon question

[Loveembirds]

my computer keeps showing the little shield saying updates are ready to
install.
I go to install-express or custom and these updates have failed over 20
times now, I've tried express and custom. Also, when I go to shut down the
machine it says 1 of 2 updates are being installed. These must be the same
two updates that fail over and over and over and slow down my dial up
connection terribly while trying to update. The are Microsoft NET Framework
3.5 SP1 and 2.0 SP2 security updates. One is 20 some Mbs and on dial up would
take freaking forever but this has been going on for freaking forever, days
now.
How can I stop this madness?
Also, the firewall balloon pops up everytime I go online saying my firewall
is off only for me to go to my firewall settings and it says it ON !
sheeeze, what to do ?

Thanks !

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

See the "How to obtain help" section of, e.g.,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979909

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY
(1-866-727-2338; and/or 1-866-234-6020 and/or 1-800-936-5700) in the United
States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft subsidiary.
There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with security
updates. When you call, clearly state that your problem is related to a
Security Update and cite the update's KB number (e.g., KB979909).

Or you can...

Start a free Windows Update support incident email request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=6527

Customers who experience issues installing Microsoft security updates also
can visit the following page for assistance:
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
your usual support contacts.