ASP.NET stops responding after executing a database query which is time consuming

[dotnet user]

I have a asp.net webpage which has aroud 20 steps as hyperlink.

when start button is clicked, then step1 starts which does some
operation in db and returns some value, based on that value i post the
same page again to execute the next step. This continues untill the 20th
step is executed. Now some steps, take lot of time to execute some
queries(9 million row updates) in the database. So asp.net stops
responding and do not continue to next step eventhough the db operation
for that step is completed.

I have tried increasing the execution timeout property but the problem
still exists.

Is there any way i can avoid this

any help appreciated.

Thanks
VKJ