Error Automatically Check for Updates Windows XP

When I go to windows update and select the method of
letting them check my system it checks that yes I have
firewall and goes to next which says I don't have
automatic check for updates. But that shows up different
on initial page where it shows that yes the automatic
updates is set correctly.
So I receive a message at the seond step which says "The
automatic update service has not started within the
timeout limit. The service will probably start of you may
need to restart your computer -- 2147023843

I am unable to download any of the custom or basic
updates and I have tried restarting my computer. I get
error message 0x80010108 or 0x800A01AE .

I went into control panel and Performance and Maintenance
and System and Automatic Updates and checked automatic
updates and still I can't get beyond the error messages.

I have XP service pack 1 and Explorer
6.0.2800.1106.xpsp2.030422-1633.

I don't know what to do.
Thanks.
C