Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem

[Guest]

Everytime I start normally windows XP an error message appears shortly after
with this message

"Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs
to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" (it doesn't put a time-limit to
shut down so it is NOT the blaster virus)

and when I click details, this:
"Error Signature
szAppName : svchost.exe szAppVer : 5.1.2600.2180
szModName : wbemcore.dll szModVer : 5.1.2600.2180 offset : 00013a31"

Then the sound is disabled and the taskbar changes from the regular blue to
a windows 95/98-style taskbar

I have my AVG anti-virus up to date and also my Ad Aware SE & Spybot I've
runned them both and found nothing even in safe mode I also tried running the
Panda Online Antivirus and nothing. I Already have Service packs 1 & 2

I figured maybe it was a conflict between a USB TV capture card and a webcam
but system/device manager does not show any conflicts

My hardware is:
IBM Netvista (PCx86 Family 6 Model 8 stepping 3)
384 Ram
Intel Pentium III
40 Gb
Windows XP Pro version 2002, SP2

Additional stuff (might not be important):
I can't use windows update, It crashes ("..Internet Explorer has encountered
a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.")
No viruses/spyware found by the apps named above

 

[alagregg]

i think i have the same problem as this, did you ever manage to fix it
?.

i get the same start up error message and my sounds stops working, and
the taskbar goes classic style.

by setting the "windows audio" service to restart on service crash i
have fixed the sound, but am still getting the error.

i would be grateful if anyone has any ideas.

my PC is a IBM T23 thinkpad. with 128mb RAM, 6GB hard disk

thanks - Al