Update freezes and hang in vista home premium

[Chetty]

Hello! I use Vista Home Premium OEM installed, upgraded to SP1 via windows automatic update (Dell inspiron 530 2.33G 2gb RAM). The latest update entry shows 12 Sept 08. Recently I tried to check manually for updates and found that it hangs and had to be stopped from the task bar. I repeated this for two days. Then I tried a few remedies I saw at some forums such as stopping and starting Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Update service, renaming Software Distribution etc. It did not change anything, although the 'start' button for update service became active only after renaming Software distribution. I tried to restore the system to a previous date but nothing seem to change. I downloaded and tried to run kb947821(SUR tool- the standalone package), after two registry add/ delete commands, and that too freezes 'checking for updates' without completing the installation; later to be terminated from the task manager. And to my shock, I find that the activation status and Product ID are also "not available " now in the properties pane. Programs other than update install normally and I do not notice any change in the normal working of the computer. The computer is protected by KIS2009 at default settings with daily updates and has been never without KIS7 or 2009 protection. Nevertheless, it is possible to uninstall an update. What is left to me now short of reinstallation? The place is full of technicians who recommend format/reinstall for every error and I am no computer expert. ....Thank you!

[Chetty]

Well, nobody has anything to say about this problem, so it appears. I close it myself. The best way to solve this issue is to contact microsoft cutomer service.