Vista seems to be locking down- All kinds of problems

Hello, I came across this site via google. I was looking for issues on how to fix one of my problems and through troubleshooting I've come to realize that I have even more problems than I thought I did.

I recently built a new computer and bought the Vista Ultimate upgrade for it. I'm running Vista Ultimate x64. My system is:

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
• 2x Geforce 8800 GTS in SLI
• Asus P532N-SLI motherboard
• 4GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz RAM
• 2x 150gb WD SE16 SATA drives running in RAID 0 Striped

Seemingly out of nowhere, system services have stopped working. I have all kinds of problems:

• Can't open control panel
• Can't access my computer 'properties' (where it would show all the specs, allow me to change product key, etc)
• Can't access the "Personalize" menu from my desktop
• The "Aero" theme is unavaliable
• Can't access Windows Update
• Can't access Windows Ultimate Extras
• and many other system operations are blocked
• Can't access my 'installed updates' to even attempt to rollback any updates that may have caused this.

I know what comes to mind immediately: Invalid product key, so the system is locking down. The only problem is, my product key ISN'T invalid and I only encountered this problem recently.

Yes, Software Licensing service is running.
All of my NVIDIA FORCEWARE drivers are up to date.
I have all hotfixes that apply to my computer.
I used System Restore to as far back as possible to no avail.
I tried booting from the Windows DVD and repairing from there, with no luck.

I do have the Vista SP1 RC installed, which could be the issue, but it was working fine with it installed for the past week. And I can't uninstall it even if I wanted to because I can't access the installed updates.

Sorry for the long post, but hopefully you guys get the idea, or anyone who is willing to help anyway. I'd like to fix this problem WITHOUT having to format and do a clean install if possible, that's the main reason I'm posting here. Because I know I can fix it with a clean install.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Devin

I agree - It seems that your key got nuked... So if you can - Click Start, then Computer, then System Properties (top bar), then Change Product Key at the bottom of the page. Follow that wizard and if inputting your key again doesn't work, you'll be prompted to use the phone - it's a 5 minute toll free call.

Hey- Thanks for the reply. I can't access system properties though. Clicking that link gives me the same result as right clicking on computer and clicking properties-Nothing.

There must be a workaround way to fix my key, somewhere...

Thanks again for the reply,
Devin

OK - Then the next step is to try and repair your installation: Repair Install For Vista

It seems that I cannot repair. "Upgrade" is grayed out when I try to click it from the install DVD.

Damn my luck is bad :P

Thanks again for the replies, and let me know if you know of any other options,
Devin

If it isn't already, you'll need to make your optical drive bootable. Insert your Vista CD, shut the computer down, and start it again. Hit the key to start the boot from the CD. There will be an option to "Repair Installation".

Startup Repair