whenever I install microsoft windows automatic updates I can't access the internet. It seems to be connected somehow to McAfee becuase the McAfee icons are changed and I can't access the McAfee Security Center. Any suggestions?

are you sure your xp has copyright?
if not,many problem may come out for you.

it came already installed from Dell

whenever I install microsoft windows automatic updates I can't access the internet.

And how do you correct it? Note that every time a file that accesses the Internet changes, that file then becomes unknown as far as your firewall is concerned, and so you would have to tell your firewall to allow it.

Are you permanently locked out the McAfee Control center?

we seem to be locked out but I am not home at the moment and can not check. Also if I was home I would not be able to access this webiste so I was trying to get some ideas of things to try when I get there. Thanks

McAfee seems to have a "good one day, bad the next" reputation. You could install avast and see if your problems get rectified.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

It's free, clean, and quite effective. Just get the setup file to your machine, uninstall McAfee, and install avast.

And to add to Dan's suggestion, if you were using the McAfee's security suite not only for your anti-virus, but for your anti-spyware and firewall too, then check out Cleaning Out Malware for ideas to build your own suite.