System Configuration -- Access Denied error

[Guest]

I have used msconfig in Windows XP SP-1. Three months ago, I installed
Windows XP SP-2, and I haven't tried to use the System Configuration Utility
since then.

Now if I select Diagnostic Startup or Selective Startup, I get "An Access
Denied error was returned while attempting to change a service. You may need
to log on using as an Administrator account to make the specified changes."

The only account on the computer is mine, and it has administrator
privileges (for example, I can use System Restore). The computer is not on a
network, although it is behind a router for the internet connection.

If I am supposed to log on with the original Adminstrator account, I don't
know how to do that. If I boot into Safe Mode, the Adminstrator account
appears, but I don't think I should have to boot into Safe Mode in order to
use msconfig. What to do?

I am supposed to do a "clean boot" (Diagnostic Startup) to install the
current audio driver for my Audigy-2 sound card.

After a "clean boot," I am supposed to (1) delete Sound Blaster items from
Add/Remove and Device Manager, (2) "clean boot," (3) delete everything from
the Temp, Windows\Temp, and Program Files\Creative\Sound Blaster, (4) empty
the Recycle Bin, (5) physically remove the sound card, (6) "clean boot" three
times to clear any Windows drivers, (5) physically replace the sound card,
and (6) "clean boot" to install the current downloaded audio driver.

Then I am supposed to reset the System Configuration Utility to a Normal
Startup.

If I ignore the Access Denied error, the System Configuration Utility
appears to have booted into Diagnostic Startup, but then when I try to
install the current downloaded audio driver, I get "Existing drivers
detected" and when I click OK to uninstall, I get "Operation Failed."

 

[Guest]

I would prefer to be able to run msconfig and then select Diagnostic Startup
or Selective Startup, but if I can't fix this, should I just do steps 1-6 in
Safe Mode?