I suspect that you are correct--here's how to get that hotfix:
There's a link, in about the middle of that article, with "contactus" as
part of the link.
Click on that link to get a set of phone numbers and other information about
how to contact Microsoft PSS--actually, I've done it, and it's a bit more
complicated than that, but you should end up here for XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=3518&gprid=185522
Here's where things get dicey. If you bought your OS at retail, from
Microsoft (or from any online vendor as a retail product, not an OEM
version), then you can use any of the available options--email, chat, or
phone. Ignore the $$ markings.
When you get connected to PSS, tell them just what you said here--the
symptoms on your machine precisely match that KB article, and you'd like the
hotfix related to it. They should get you the hotfix in short order. The
way all this works has varied over the years, but even if you get asked for
credit card credentials, be very clear that you are seeking a
security-related patch (I don't think that's stretching things)--and there
should be no charge. It has been quite a while since I've needed to do this
myself, but I've had more recent reports--the system still works.
Now--If, like many users, your OS came with the machine, or you bought it
cheaply online as an OEM version--remember that part of that cost
differential is that the OEM vendor, not Microsoft, is on the hook for
support. So--in theory, you should call Dell (or whoever (NewEgg?) looking
for this hotfix. Last I heard, Dell does not supply hotfixes for their
customers, or support the OS for free. If you did buy OS support from Dell,
that would probably be the route to take. If you didn't, I think I'd
recommend using the email support method and seeing what happens. Be
polite and professional, and see how it goes. In theory, they are perfectly
justified in bouncing you back to the OEM, but in practice, I suspect you'd
get the hotfix.
