After installing WinXP SP2, the automatic update icon (the new icon) does not appear in the systray and even though I've selected the option, in the control panel, to be notified of new hotfixes, windows does not notify me of them. Also, when selecting the Automatic Update icon in the control panel, it takes several minutes before the automatic update panel appears. Selecting the mouse icon in the control panel exhibits the same behavior, i.e., taking several minutes prior to appearing. I've scanned for viruses, spyware, reinstalled SP2, reinstalled protected system files (sfc /scannow), defraged, and currently I'm singing to my computer ("wasted days and wasted nights"). All that remains is a rain dance. Any suggestions gladly accepted.