CANT DOWNLOAD MICROSOFT UPDATES for messenger or anything microsoft

I am having problems downloading updates and bascially
anything microsoft. I go to the microsoft sites and i
click a update link or a download link and the little
download bar comes up at the botom of the screen but it
stays only at 5 bars and wont go past that. I can
downlaod anything else from anywhere on the net and I
have 500k cable modem connection.Whats teh deal? Is it
firewall related or something? the only firewall i have
would be the xp one. Grrr!!! at microsoft. I need despret
help. email me at if you can
help. Thanks !