Windows Update not working the way it should be

[Locke]

Well this finally got my attention.
I set WU to update by itself but when I go in to check the updates on MS's website, it says I dont have the updates. Some from a few months ago.

And every time I see the yellow shield in the task bar, it stays at zero % for hours!

Is there anyway a program can intentionatly block updates from windows and how can they be removed?

I scanned with Spybot and Adaware already, nothing there.

gah! I can see the evil shield mocking me!

[Arnobius]

Zone Alarm is a big pain for me... some of the recent updates are incompatible with it.