>I would guess that there are some standard things they have on them? I would suggesting adding those items, one at a time until the problem rears its head. What you just added is the culprit. Then try removing it and see if the problem goes away again. If so, then determine if that item is really needed, and start a search for either a replacement, or work with the vendor to fix the problem it is causing.

My thoughts exactly, and what I will do with the easier stuff (like McAfee, Office, etc.) first. As for the registry/policy settings on the trickier things (like caching properties, e.g.), that will be much harder - most of the original NT configurers (sp?) are gone. But it's clearly the right path to solve it.

I'm gonna see if I can get hold of an NT expert for a day, if the easier things don't find the problem.