Yes, got it. Had to turn off the XP firewall, virus checking, and update stuff. It was far too eager, didn't recognise AVG, and wanted to update automatically without me getting to see. I don't trust MS that much!
Something also keeps trying to bring up the dial-up networking. Not found out what (and at 3.30am not going to look now). If whatever it is can't see the ADSL connection, it must be a firewall thing.
It also put IE and all the MS tat on the taskbar. Soon removed that!