Information Bar Disappeared & IE Hangs When Access Windows Update

Hi, I am running on Windows XP Home SP2, I have the following problems :

1. The yellow information bar is missing.

2. When I access Windows Update, it hangs on IE ie. Not Responding. The
following messages on the screen :

Checking if your computer has the latest version of Windows updating
software for use with the website....

The website uses ActiveX controls to determine which version of the software
your computer is running. If you see an ActiveX warning, make sure the
control is digitally signed by Microsoft before installing it or allowing it
to run

Hope some experts here can help..... Thanks