BleepingComputer.com: Windows won't update

Every time I go to update a windows xp desktop computer,
The page says to turn on my automatic updates. If I press that link, it just turns a different color. When I click on the express or custom tabs for the update, I get an error message that windows cannot connect to the update. Also, when I check the automatic updates on this computer, it signifies that it is indeed on, but the "apply" button is also highlighted. Clicking on this greys it out, but no changes. This computer runs windows xp with service pack 3, SAS, Mbam and avast! antivirus. I tried the fix-it tools from Microsoft, to no avail as every tool for that problem comes up as a could not install or program already installed. This computer had the winxp 2011 antivirus virus on it which I managed to get rid of, but while I was away, one of the other users deleted, rather than send to chest, 2 virus infected files that avast! had found. Not sure what the virus was as he deleted the log also. So here I am at my wits end trying to get the updates from Microsoft and am not able to. Can anyone help? I do have computer knowledge, but just enough to make me dangerous.
Thanks in advance,
Jericho380

Did the people here at BC help you rid your system of the virus or did you do it on your own? If the latter, I suggest you post in the Am I Infected forum and explain your problem to them just as you did here.

Thanks, I will do just that. Found in the services that all files regarding automatic updates are missing anyhow.