First off, I found a link to this forum from the Microsoft support site. I read the protocol thread, but my apologies in advance if I misstate something or neglect to mention something.

OK, here's my problem: For the past five days or so, I've been getting persistent wuauclt.exe error messages, especially when I switch applications. At times, they render my system almost completely inoperable. I'm running Windows XP Home, Service Pack 3 (I believe, maybe only 2... one of the things I tried to do to resolve this was make sure I was on 3, but at this point, who knows...)

In my investigations, I've come across opinions ranging from the benign ("turn on/off automatic Windows updates") to the frightful-sounding ("you've got the Auraax worm"). I run AVG 7.5 and receive the daily updates to it. AVG says I'm clean. I've run CCleaner, Spybot S&D, and the Windows Live scanning app, and they all say I'm clean too. Still, I get the errors. I just ran HiJackThis 2.0.2 and got a log file, which I'll share below. First, the messages I'm receiving from the wuauclt.exe error:

wuauclt.exe
wuauclt.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

If you were in the middle of something, the information you were working on might be lost.

For more information about this error, click here.

[click here says:]
wuauclt.ext
Error signature
szAppName : wuauclt.exe szAppVer : 7.2.6001.788 szModName : esent.dll
szModVer : 5.1.2600.2180 offset : 0005d424

To view technical information about the report, click here.

[click here says:]
Error Report Contents
The following files will be included in this error report:
C:\DOCUME~1\Home\LOCALS~1\Temp\WER6ef4.dir00\wuauclt.exe.mdmp
C:\DOCUME~1\Home\LOCALS~1\Temp\WER6ef4.dir00\appcompat.txt

Now the HJT log file:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:16:24 PM, on 3/7/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.5730.0013)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Juniper Networks\Common Files\dsNcService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\HPQ\Quick Launch Buttons\EabServr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WLANSTA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\RIMDeviceManager\RIMDeviceManager.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\USB Drivers\BbDevMgr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\WS_FTP\WS_FTP95.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\ISUSPM.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Home\Desktop\hijackthis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust...ch/search.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust.../www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust...ch/search.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cust.../www.yahoo.com
O1 - Hosts: 138.1.163.22 my-stage-rmdc2.oracle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.131.210.57 mpssandbox02.peoplesoft.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.131.210.58 cssb-db.peoplesoft.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.39.99 googkle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.39.99 ghoogle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.39.99 gooigle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.39.99 gogl.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.39.99 ghogle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.37.99 wwwgoogkle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.37.99 wwwghoogle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.37.99 wwwgooigle.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.37.99 wwwgogl.com
O1 - Hosts: 216.239.37.99 wwwghogle.com
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Adblock Pro - {F385C231-605B-4d8f-ACA9-DBFF765BBE17} - C:\Program Files\Adblock Pro\AdblockPro.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cpqset] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Default Settings\cpqset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [srmclean] C:\Cpqs\Scom\srmclean.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eabconfg.cpl] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Quick Launch Buttons\EabServr.exe /Start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /installquiet
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WLANSTA.EXE] WLANSTA.EXE START
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxWatchTray] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatchTray9.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RIMDeviceManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Research In Motion\RIMDeviceManager\RIMDeviceManager.exe" -RunServer
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ISUSPM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\ISUSPM.exe" -scheduler
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Synchronizer.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\AdobeCollabSync.exe
O4 - Global Startup: ymetray.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Block This Image (ABP) - C:\Program Files\Adblock Pro\blockimg.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: WebCloner - {ADFCCE65-DF10-46fd-B04A-53CCBE2A0795} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &WebCloner - {ADFCCE65-DF10-46fd-B04A-53CCBE2A0795} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search && Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: Adblock Pro Preferences - {E7FD3540-AB30-40f1-91E7-101F733C1FD5} - C:\Program Files\Adblock Pro\AdblockPro.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Adblock Pro Preferences - {E7FD3540-AB30-40f1-91E7-101F733C1FD5} - C:\Program Files\Adblock Pro\AdblockPro.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\shdocvw.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.hp.com
O16 - DPF: {00191E43-49C2-48E2-A548-8F702D75622A} - https://conference.oracle.com/imtapp...ar/cnsload.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/sh...3/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {5ED80217-570B-4DA9-BF44-BE107C0EC166} (Windows Live Safety Center Base Module) - http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/res...scbase6662.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/sh...20/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {FD163A9A-A3D8-4F7D-8224-32F81AC29EDA} (VPlayer Control) - http://video.vividas.com/CDN1/5029_p...vivid_ocx.jpeg
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{35459D40-1C1D-4993-B2D8-5E9E24AA64E1}: NameServer = 68.168.96.130,68.168.96.133
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{A9C61ABE-41F4-4377-AE7E-ABA36F6AA123}: NameServer = 68.168.96.130,68.168.96.133
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: Juniper Network Connect Service (dsNcService) - Juniper Networks - C:\Program Files\Juniper Networks\Common Files\dsNcService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio UPnP Renderer 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUPnPRenderer9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Upnp Server 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUpnpService9.exe
O23 - Service: LiveShare P2P Server 9 (RoxLiveShare9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxLiveShare9.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 9 (RoxWatch9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatch9.exe

--
End of file - 9799 bytes

I did a quick search of these forums and didn't find anyone reporting anything similar, but if some poor soul has gone through the same thing, feel free to point me to that thread, and I'll be on my way.

And above all, THANK YOU for your kind consideration and assistance in this matter!

-RM