Is anyone having trouble connecting after Micro$softs XP service pack 2 is installed?

I have tried the delete directory/manual connect etc etc and it still doesn't work (making sure of course that the app is closed and out of the systray)

Even though I have unchecked start on system startup in two locations (connection and advanced) it still tries to connect on launch.

???????

I've got enough to do without fooling around with this application...starting to seem like a waste of $35. BTW - using basic, not pro.