CFP_Setup_3.0.23.364_XP_Vista_x64.exe blocks Windows Update from within VMware

Admittedly this is a fairly exotic case:

Host Computer:
Windows XP x64 (fully updated)
Comodo Firewall 3.0.23.364 x64 (Safe OR Training mode, D+ disabled)
Avast 4.8.1201
VMware server 1.0.5
Limited Account

Guest O.S.
Windows XP x64 (fully updated via nLite)
Avast 4.8.1201

When I attempt to open Windows Update in the guest, the page starts to load, but then gives a fatal error as shown.

Sometimes if I disable the firewall on the host machine then Windows Update proceeds without error. Once I have properly connected at least once I can re-enable the host’s firewall and it will still work. However if I shut down the guest and close VMware server the problem recurs on the next startup.

If I exit the Firewall, Windows Update on the VMware guest always works.

EDIT: Please ignore, further trials seem to indicate that this error is caused by a network lag issue with Comodo firewall being the proverbial straw.

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