hey...

i've noticed that every time i attempt to download and install a windows xp security update, the start button and tool bar turns black after i restart my pc...

the background of my programs list, accessories, system tools list, etc. also turns black... the same thing happens when i try to open any type of desktop window, whether they are my documents windows, or internet explorer, etc... the tool bar on the right vanishes and the borders of all windows turn black... tried restarting my pc, but no luck...

if i uninstall the security updates and restart my pc, the start button and windows borders and toolbars return to their usual color... does anyone know what my problem is? this only happens when i install windows security updates...

here's a list of my programs...

ac3 filter
ad-aware se personal
bit-tornado
clone cd
daemon tools
ffdshow
java j2se runtime environment
microsoft .net framework 1.1
office xp
pc-cillin 2005
videolan
winrar
yahoo messenger
zone alarm

thanks...

oh and by the way, i'm using service pack 1, with no genuine validation problems...

I thought PC-Cillin 2005 was a security suite, that came with a firewall? Having it and Zone Alarm installed and running together is not a good idea. It does not offer you more protection, but it can cause a conflict. You can go to the Zone Labs website and they will tell you not to install two software firewalls. Why you do not have sp2 installed is another mystery. I would uninstall Zone Alarm, but the choice of uninstalling one of your firewalls is up to you.

yeah pc-cillin has a built-in firewall that was poorly rated by almost every pc reviewer on the net...

when you install it, it gives you the option of installing ONLY the great anti-virus protection, or everything including the weak firewall... i chose only the anti-virus software...

zone alarm and pc-cillin work fine as long as you don't install the pc-cillin firewall as well...

still doesn't answer my initial question, but thanks anyway lol...

Sounds like you might be trying to install security updates that rely on other updates already to be in place. And since you're running only SP1, you don't have the updated code that the security update assumes is already there.

I'd STRONGLY recommend that you install SP2. There are known Windows exploits that can compromise your machine without you having to do a thing. So all it takes it one flaw in your firewall to allow things inside...

I also suggest you remove Pc Cillan firewall, and to do it you may have to unistall Pc Cillan and reinstall it without friewall as I remember.
Also Windows ffirewall I hope is shut down.
I would bet in order to do Windows update correctly you may have to disable every firewall as I have seen machines where that is necessary.
And installing SP2 is excellent idea because code you need may be in that for updates besides....

thanks alot fellas... i really appreciate it...