I had three Windows XP computers of different models and at three different locations/networks all have the same exact issue after automatically installing the windows updates.   These updates were installed on 10/20/09.   Each place got a BSOD directly after rebooting their pc.

After searching around online, I found out via some forums that some people were having similar problems.  Here was the fix to remove the KB and to get the computers back up.

1. Boot from your Windows XP CD or DVD and start the recovery console (see this Microsoft article for help with this step)

2. Type this command: CHDIR $NtUninstallKB971486$\spuninst

3. Type this command: BATCH spuninst.txt

4. Type this command: exit

The computer should restart and hopefully your problem will be fixed. Again, go to the Add/Remove Programs control panel and properly uninstall KB971486.

Here is more info on this specific update:   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971486