Vista - 0x80070002 When trying Microsoft update

Hi guys,

I have a problem: A couple of days I did a stupid thing. Thinking it would free some diskspace I deleted "Windows\SoftwareDistribution" folder after rebooting I noticed that Windows update is not using Microsoft update service anymore, instead it reverted to Windows update service.

I clicked on the "Get updates for more software" link button, I was directed into Microsoft update website. unfortunately right after the "Review the license agreement" page I got the 0x80070002 error on Microsoft update, so I tried going to Windows update instead on IE but I also got an error there. When I tried checking for updates on My computer it worked like a charm (only Windows update not Microsoft update).

So I googled the error (since Microsoft website was no help at all) I found a couple of solutions

1. Deleting the content of "Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore" then starting Windows update. And that was no help at all.
2. I reverted the content of the folder "Windows\SoftwareDistribution" as it was before I started missing with it. And that was no help at all.
3. I tried running the regsvr32 on Windows update dlls as advised by an article I've read. And that was no help at all.

I don't remember if there were anymore possible resolutions to my problem that I've tried but nothing seems to be working at all.

In case it matters I had Windows XP SP3 installed on my machine before upgrading to Vista Ultimate. And I use IE8 but my default browser is Firefox 3.0.5

Any help is really appreciated
Thanks

Did you do a system restore?

No, I have so many changes I can't afford losing.

Wow, I got it fixed with the least expected way..

I have "Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer" installed, so I was just checking my System, when I realized that when scanning your computer, you can configure MBSA to use Microsoft Update instead of Windows Update.

I thought this was going to work for MBSA only but what do you know, it's permanent on windows now

Just a question... how do I mark a thread resolved around here??

Umm, I think only the mods/admins can do that but I'm not sure. At least I haven't figured it out either.