keep getting a "windows update" error on startup with "system error - unable to opendialog box". Not sure whats going on..anyone know how to solve this?

You should disable Automatic Updates. They'll break your computer (maybe they already have). To do this go to Start >Control Panel >Administrative Tools >Services. In the list of services, you'll see Automatic Updates near the top. Right-click on it and select Stop from the context menu. Right-click again and select Properties. On the "Startup type" select Disabled. Automatic "Updates" is a tool Microsoft uses to apply patches, not updates, to your system. Often these patches are written sloppily and are not properly tested. The result is that things on your computer will just stop working or return errors for no apparent reason. Only apply patches you absolutely know you need and then cross your fingers as you do so.