Help pls - Windows Update problem...

When I'm tryin to update my Windows (98SE, IE 5.5) on

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp says ..

there is message
"Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software..."

... but it never gets any further.

It starts 2 weeks ago. Going to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ displays
nothing in the browser, but view source shows an entire web page. Have tried
turning off Anti-Virus components, and disabled all anti-virus software
(AVG+Zone Labs) - no result. Have checked my system for viruses and trojans
(AVG, A-Squared, AntiVir, Panda, Kaspersky) - it's clear... Where is the
problem?

I've tried to cahanfe my browser security options to "low" - no changes...
Help pls...

.