IE5.5 Windows update error 0x80096004

Hi,

I'm trying get the latest updates from windows update but the scan for
updates fails almost immediately and gives the above error 0x80096004. I'm
using a Dell Dimension 4100 intel Pentium(r) III processor w/ 128M RAM,
OS-Windows Me 4.90.3000. Internet Explorer 5.50.4134.0100. I recently
inherited this machine from my mother when she got a new one. When I try to
update to IE6 it invariably fails. I've tried searching for updates for IE5.5
but all I get are security updates that require IE5.5 service pack 2. Can
anyone give me some advice on how to fix Windows Update so that it finds the
updates that I need for security, stability etc? There was one update that
had been installed previously which I uninstalled in the hopes that it might
help with the IE6.1 (which of course it didn't). Any help would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark K.