(Yet anotther) Microsoft/Windows Update problem: never ending upd

Hi.

I'm running a Windows XP SP2 system with a problem that I saw frequently
reported on several discussion groups thrughout the Internet. When going to
Microsoft Update or Windows Update webpage, and performing a custom scan
(same problem with express one) it keeps scanning, never ending it. This
problem started when upgrading windows update to microsoft update.

Have tryied the most common fixes, without any result:

- switching between the two upgrade systems
- reinstalling and reconfiguring BITS (as described in
http://castlecops.com/t106642-How_To...ly_Edited.html)
- emptying WU's catalog
- reinstalling WUAgent 2.0

One thing to note: whenever I try to stop AutomaticUpdates or BITS services
it hangs on stopping, either through mmc, sc or net stop. These are the only
two services exhibiting this behaviour, as I troubleshooted the remaining
ones.

I'm running out of solutions here... I administer a 70+ network without any
problems of any kind between Windows Update and SUS, so I presume this is due
to some mess up of Microsoft Updates. =|

Any ideias? =\

(WindowsUpdate.log under request)

Well, it seems like the cleaner and quick way to pass through that problem
is reinstallation, as nobody even gets a hit about this problem (or won't
write).