yeah i'm on xp m8...

i didnt have to install any of the dos stuff or anything...

i find it helps if i switch off the microsoft antispyware and i just leave the xp firewall up (ports open for stw of course) but i switch my real time virus scanner off as well...

i dont run it under compatibility mode or anything like that .....

umm when you loggin it also seems to help to let it hang for 5 seconds during the logging on phase.... if all this fails then i start pressing enter lol but i dont know if tihs helps..

at my last resorts i start dancing around in front of the computer chanting things and spinning around and hitting enter at the same time as i hit the mouse... it also helps to hop on one leg....