On and Off game functionality

Most days when I boot my computer into XP sp2 everything in my computer runs fine, but then sometimes when I boot my computer the following programs won't run:
Windows Live Messenger
Fable The lost chapters
GTA San andreas
The Sims 2
When this happens I have to reboot my computer and they'll usually run again, sometimes I have to reboot multiple times. Note that all those programs refuse to run at the same time and when one runs they all run. Windows says:

""Program" has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for your inconvenience.
If you were in the middle of something, the information you were working on might be lost."

It is quite an inconvenience, so if anyone can help thanks in advance
Tom