Vista - sql server 2008 express startup error

Hi,

I have sql server 2005 working just fine on my system.
I installed sqlserver2008 as another server on my vista machine (with a
different name than my 2005)...it all seems ok.

I can load up the SQL Server Management Studio - log in, create databases /
tables / add data and so on.

But I cannot access the server from inside visual studios 2008 pro.

So I go into the SQL Server Configuration Manager for 2008 and compare it to
my 2005 Configuration Manager.
It appears my SQL Server Agent is not running.

When I go into the properties of it and try to set it to manual or
automatic, I get an error on the screen:
(currently its set to disabled)

The remote procedure call faild. [0x800706be]
a couple seconds later I get a Microsoft Windows error:
WMI Provider Host stopped working and was closed.
-A problem caused the application to stop working correctly.
Windows will notify you if a solution is available.

Is there a service pack or some fix I need to install.
I dont mind uninstalling sql server 2008 and re-installing.
I have googled a bit, but cant seem to find a 'straight' answer to the error
im trying to track down.
I am logged in as administrator.

I just wanted to play with 2 servers on my machine - one that was 2005 dev
edition that came with my vs2008, and the other being 2008 express that I
downloaded.

Thanks,

Miro