firedaemon worked for me on windows xp. (wxw.firedeamon.com)
the free version only supports one system service install at a time though i believe. but with it, it makes it possible for you to shut down your server.
thanks for the tip with INSTSRV/SRVANY chuddy. i want to try that one
.. i found it here, for those still searching; htxp://www.href.com/pub/Helpful/SrvAny/