Hi!
I had the same problem (on Win XP SP2 Build 5.1.2600) . Using the Windows
Update link from All Programs directed me to Google. Using the
installation-supplied Windows Update link directly from Internet Explorer
(Ver 7.0.5730.13) gave me a Microsoft search page (I don't know what you're
looking for).
I first found this problem when I tried to d/l the Win XP SP3 update. I
couldn't d/l anything else from the microsoft site either, not .NET 3.5 SP1,
not VSC++2005 or 2008, not the latest malware tool either.
Another problem I had was that chkdsk did not work... not at startup and not
explicitly (from the Tools tab after clicking Properties on the hard disks
from My Computer)
I tried to run the utilities suggested above...
MBAM... I don't have a credit card so I couldn't d/l this from the official
site
SuperAntiSpyware... this did find and remove a DNSRedirect trojan, but it
didn't fix the problem
AVG Free V8.5... found nothing, not impressed
My disappointment with the above may be that I could not update their virus
databases either. I think those IP addresses were hijacked too.
I also ran Spybot Search and Destroy (found nothing). I ran the latest
version of SDFIX which also found malware but did not fix the problem (see
below).
I finally found this:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Web Search/thread?tid=5a019ee9fd30bae2&hl=en
This recommended looking in the Hosts file (see one of the replies in the
link above), but mine was as default (just the 127.0.0.1 entry).
Another possibility is that your modem has been hijacked... resetting to
defaults and re-entering your ISP info may help (but only after you are sure
all malware has been removed... do below first).
I downloaded the TrojanRemover program V6.7.9... this did find and fix my
problem! I could not d/l this utility from their site:
http://www.simplysup.com/tremover/download.html
but any of the suggested download mirrors should work. I used the UK one.
Below are the pertinent parts from the TrojanRemover log:
Hidden Service Keyname: msqpdxserv.sys
Hidden Service: \systemroot\system32\drivers\msqpdxbayxdinl.sys
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\msqpdxbayxdinl.sys
74240 bytes
Created: 7/01/2009 3:35 PM
Modified: 7/01/2009 3:35 PM
Company: [no info]
Entry has been scheduled for deletion when the PC is restarted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\msqpdxbayxdinl.sys - file backed up to
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\msqpdxbayxdinl.sys.vir
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\msqpdxbayxdinl.sys - file has been erased using
RAW erasure.
NB: SDFIX DID find this but apparently did not fix it it successfully.
So, try the Trojan Remover utility. It is free for the first 30 days of
usage. Worked for me
Fixed both my Windows Update and chkdsk problems.