Win 98SE, IE 5.0 sp2.
Oh boy where do I start? It all started when I went to the Windows update site. It checked for updates like normal, then showed I needed some. So I downloaded updates for virtual machine, activeX, IE update and other security stuff. I tried IE first since it has to be done by itself. It downloaded the installer first I guess, but it never showed up. It showed I downloaded it, but I can't get it to popup so I can update IE.
I can't update anything now. All I tried won't work, I get errors when I try to install...ie virtual machine and the security ones and activeX.
I can't even use a CD to reinstall IE Explorer, because it says "a previous installation has been found, please reboot to finish." Hell I rebooted a 100 times since then. I can't even reinstall Windows because it says the same thing.
NOW...the update site won't work at all...says 100% complete in the check for updates page, then goes to a page that says error: 0x800A138F. Who knows what that means, I tried looking it up.
I don't want to pay for microsoft to help me so I used the free email thing they have. Only catch is you have to put in your product key...I call it a catch because the number I have on my Windows getting started manual won't work in their site...says:"Invalid product key"...LOL. That figures, but it is the right key.
I guess my question is...How do I fix this without reformating? I need to update some things, specially security items. Thanks if anybody can help.