Problem with repair install from XP cd

I've been reading quite a bit on this particular question, and Apparently
when you have trouble with the install of SP2 and then you use the XP cd to
do a repair install....this causes the DCOM Server Process Launcher Service
to hang on sturtup. According to windows help section....it says to go into
services in Administrative tools, and start it manually.

HHHMMMMMMM.....that's funny....when you set it to manual, it still won't
give you access to the buttons to manually control this service.

I know I can do a system restore, but I also want to know how to actually
fix this problem. System Restore isn't always there to rescue you!!

Thank You
Roger