Need Windows Update Help

hey guys first time i am using this forum, and am already thanking people in
advance,

this the problem i have, i have just done a fresh install of WinXp Pro inc
SP1, the instalation had no probs at all, but now when i am going to update
windows, i install the update software, and for some the bar that says
"Checking for the latest update for you compute..." just keep on going and
going and going its been checking for the last 40 mins, just wondering is
this a normal thing and just now i got this message
"The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are
trying to view. Take the following steps to try solving the problem:"

any help would be greatly apreciated thanks

Nazz