automatic update service makes add remove programs and WU stop res

Windows 2000, with automatic update service running, add/remove programs
panel shows no list of installed SW and stops responding. Browsing to windows
update site makes IE6 stop responding. Automatic update service cannot be
stopped, but can be disabled and after reboot, is not active. Then,
add/remove programs list is populated, and browsing to windows update site is
possible, but complains that automatic updates service is not active. Start
the automatic updates service and windows update can get to the green
progress bar searching for updates. This does not come to an end.
How can I update my computer ?