Cant open windows update

Strange thing has just happened today. I turned on my pc this morning and an update notification arrived in the taskbar. When I went to open it to find out what update they were it wouldn't open.

Since then I can't open the personalize option either by right clicking or through control panel. I can't open the welcome center, windows update, windows ultimate extras and the system options through control panel or the start menu.

All that happens when I click to open is a window opens then shuts really quick like it's loading, then dissapears.

I have done a system restore from the DVD media but it has not worked.

I'm confused now.

Hi,
Open the services.msc console (Start, then type in the search bar: services.msc and press Enter)
Search for those 2 services:
SLUNotify service
Software Licensing service

Are they running and set to automatic?

I've got SL UI Notification service set to manual, and it is off, and software licensing is set to auto and is started.

Well, that is the problem (i hope)
Set SL UI Notification Automatic and start.
Better reboot and try.

OK. Set it to automatic and started it, then re-booted. Checked services again and it has stayed on automatic but the service status is showing as stopped.

n.b. I also can't access my network and sharing center from the taskbar or control panel either just found out.

I'm gonna start the SL UI Notification service manually and see what happens.

ok, started the service but still not able to open any of the windows mentioned.

I'm wondering whether Windows Live Mesh has anything to do with it. I got a tech preview from M/S on Tuesday. Installed it ok. Worked. Tried to un-install yesterday, but I still have the Live Mesh Remote desktop service active in the services list, even though I've un-installed and set it to disabled and stopped.

Might be just a coincidence. Any how i've made a list of the contol panel options that wont open.

1. Backup and Restore
2. Bitlocker
3. Default Programs
4. Ease of access center
5. Network & Sharing center
6. Parental Controls
7. Performance Info & Tools
8. Personalize
9. Power Options
10. Speech Recognition Options
11. System
12. User Accounts
13. Welcome Center
14. Windows Update

The ones highlighted in red are ones I know wont open with right click either, or from the start menu.

I'e just tried typing all the above services into the search bar as well and try running them from there. Still don't open

Humm, activation problem??
Try to start the service while in safe mode (F8 when booting)
Then reboot in normal mode and check if the service stopped again.

cant access services while in safe mode. I've made sure I'm trying to run as administrator but it wont open at all. I tried to open it trough admin tools but the same error message popped up.

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Then, last try in normal mode:
Disable firewall and AV software
Open services.msc, stop the 2 services
SLUNotify service
Software Licensing service
Apply the modifications for each one.
Then restart the 2 services, apply and exit
Test!
If nothing happens, you should go there to explain your problem.
Windows Vista Validation Issues (Windows Vista) - Speak to us at Microsoft!

Ok, thanks for the help. Done as mentioned, and it hasn't had any effect on the problem, so i'll go ahead and post something on the MS forum link you provided.

Thanks for trying for me.