Samsung Kies = Rubbish

[Brand86]

Right, I updated Kies last night with the hope that ICS would then be available to download onto my Galaxy S2 on Orange. However after the download, my phone now doesn't sync with Kies...Kieas recognises my phone (as Kies opens when I connect it via USB) but then jst keeps saying "Connecting" and after several minutes of waiting says there's an error and to disconnect and reconnect, but this doesn't seem to help.

Anyone else had problems with Kies?

And if so solutions?

If not, are there any other methods to get ICS without rooting my handset?

Thanks guys!