missing Updates [Windows Update page blank]

Recently, I did a fresh install after losing my System Restore( posted here and elsewhere). Bought new OEM disk. Install went smoothly and activated Windows. XP Home. I thought I was getting SP2, but disk had SP3 preinstalled. I did not want SP3 and was keeping away from it before doing the fresh install. Updates worked fine for downloading Windows Genuine thingy with no problem. Now, when I go to Windows Update page, IE8 shows 100% loaded and done, bar at top of page, but rest of page all white. How can I get page back?

 

Thanks for the quick response PeteC, but I have already corrected the problem(I hope it sticks). I had recently installed Internet Explorer 8 (Beta 2). Problem then began. Uninstalled 8 and went back to Internet Explorer 7. Problem gone. Can now access Update page. Is IE8 just for Vista or just still buggy in Beta?