Windows 7 - Problems with updating Windows

hi.
i just installed Windows Ultimate x64 bit 3 days ago.
when i finished installing windows i tried to activate my windows by entering in my serial key but windows wouldn't register it. So i phoned up Microsoft and some one over the phone resolved the issue and my windows was successfully activated.
then as soon as windows 7 was activated, i tried installing updates but it wouldn't let me.
when ever i try to update it "checks for updates" for 10 minutes and comes up with nothing and gives me the error "Code 8024402F"
i am the administrator, so i don't have to manually run everything as the administrator.
my internet connection is fine, i use both lan and wireless.
it doesn't make a difference if my firewall is turned off or on.
i didn't install any virus protection or programs before i tried to do updates so there were no third party firewalls running.
i don't have any software accelerator programs.
i have the Microsoft website and upload site added as trusted sites in internet explorer.
when i try to download anything off the microsoft site manually, i go to the download page, select anything like, direct X end user runtime and a download box pops up but fails to load anything and i have "block pop ups" un checked, so then i click "start download" and still nothing loads. I cant download anything at all related to Microsoft.

what on earth could be wrong here?

Try out the steps on this page.

You may encounter temporary connection-related errors when you use Windows Update or Microsoft Update to install updates

Pardon me, but i forgot to mention that i read all of that before i posted on this forum to make sure that there is no simple problem.
And i also did the advanced trouble shooting methods.
Im not a computer expert, but i know how to use google and use microsoft support.
Nothing helped me.
I was looking for professional advice from someone here.

Sometimes build-in troubleshooter in Control Panel>>Troubleshooting>>Fix problems with WU can solve this,try it first,if it doesn't help then:

1.Uninstall completely 3p security software
2.Check results on clean boot How to Troubleshoot a Problem by Performing a Clean Startup in Windows 7 or Vista
3.Because you had any issue with activation then maybe still you have any problems with it?If nothing help run WGA tool Genuine Microsoft Software

Thank you for responding
Just to let you know, i said that "as soon as i installed windows 7 i tried to do updates and they wouldn't start", so 3rd party programs are not conflicting with the updates, ive had issues since the start.
Also, if you would have once more read carefully, i said that "i cant download anything that involves going to the Microsoft website, when the pop up comes up to download something, it times out and when i click "start download", it times out again.
To be honest. Im getting the feeling that there is something stopping me from obtaining downloads/updates from Microsoft, but its no third party program.I can access the site and all its features, but when ever it comes to download, its a no go.
Perhaps the person over the phone didn't do something correctly...i don't know what he did so i cant go into detail there.

I don't think my ISP would block the Microsoft website and the updates for windows XP were working anyways.
I've check my internet settings and ive done the advanced trouble shooting methods.
still nothing.

By the way like i said, i cant download anything that involves the Microsoft website, so therefore i cant download the "fix problems with Windows Update trouble shooter"
it says "the trouble shooter would not download properly. make sure you are connected to the internet and try again".

The only thoughts you have any infection (if really thoroghly you've checked suggestions from post 2)-so pernamently blocked MS sites

I hope you can download it form this website and scan
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware : Malwarebytes

I can ensure you theres no virus.
Windows XP worked fine, then when i installed Windows 7 i could never update it, like i said, i tried updating it as soon as i installed it.
And i am already aware of malwarebytes, its fantastic, thats the only virus scanner i use to scan, other than that, i use AVG primarily for online security, but i didnt install any virus protection before i tried to do the updates so that cant be the problem either.
no viruses and not 3rd part programs are interfering with the updates or downloading from the Microsoft website.
...i can give you a report of whats running in my registry, because if it possibly is a virus than it has to be running in my registry to prevent a program from doing what its supposed to do.

i can download absolutely anything, the only stuff i cant download is anything that requires downloads from the Microsoft website.
this is baffling.

i found the solution to my problem.
it turns out it was my firewall.
instead of making sure its turned on, try turning it off instead, that way nothing can possibly be blocking any access to and from the internet.
heres how to turn off your firewall.

start>
control panel>
system and security>
windows firewall>
Turn windows firewall on or off>

then turn off both firewalls.

now you can download from the Microsoft website and use "windows update"

once the updates are done you might want to turn your firewall back on again.

I'm glad that you've got it sorted out and have got the updates.

But, I must have misread something. It looks like your Windows Firewall was blocking access to Windows Updates?

Also, in your OP, you mentioned "it doesn't make a difference if my firewall is turned off or on"