Help, please. Settings problems since 7/11/06 update

[Toots]

I've been really frustrated since the Auto Update on 7/11 with XP (I HATE it) not saving my settings, which icons I've chosen for my taskbar and ignoring the apps (such as Skype) that I want to load on boot-up. I can force the taskbar icons, but I seem to have no luck with the other things. Also, I prefer the "Classic" version of the Control Panel, but at next boot-up, there's the dummies version.

What gives? Anybody know? I've added no new software, except for Mozilla Thunderbird updates, CA anti-virus updates and new Spybot detection rules.

Even my computer guru is having this problem.

Any help will be much appreciated, but make it simple, 'cause I'm a newbie to XP!

Thanks -- Toots