ok, I let the "checking for latest updates on your computer" green scanning
bar run till I got the error screen.

I read the articles about what could be wrong. I added the sites to the
trusted sites in internet options. i have no firewall running. and my
last update via automatic updates was Dec. 16th.

How do I know if my automatic update will d/l any new updates? or is it
just the web site I am/will have problems with? should I worry about it not
being able to access the web site?

do I really need to go and change all the stuff listed in this article?
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=836941

this is all so confusing.