Very Slow WinXP

The automagic update service in WinXP has been causing users fits. Machines are so bogged down they appear to be locked up. The latest from ComputerWorld--

"Microsoft swears Automatic Updates lockup fix works"
(excerpt)
The "svchost/msi issue" issue has plagued Windows users, particularly those running Windows XP, for months. For more info...

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9021201&source=NLT_PM&nlid=8