No icons, start menu, only desktop backgound....

[lbeham]

Malwarebytes is the best that I have ever used and it is free.  I ran a lot of stuff and still do not have explorer.exe, that's why I am here.

[Allan]

You don't have an anti virus utility? Well, that's a problem then - and probably the reason you are having problems. As I said, you should download and run a boot time av scanner.

[lbeham]

Allan, I do have Norton Antivirus and it is up to date.

[Allan]

Okay, I misunderstood your previous post. Since you can't 'get to it' to run a scan, let's go with the boot time av. The Norton AV cd should run one for you if you boot to it.

[lbeham]

I can get it to run and I did a full system scan, but Norton does not find anything wrong.  I also ran a full system scan with Malwarebytes and Superantisypware and both on those found a bunch of adware tracking cookies and a couple of trojans and they deleted them.

[Allan]

I'm sorry - you already said that didn't you. Got thrown off by that other poster. Let's go back to where we were with the checkdisk from the recovery console first and a repair install if needed after that.

[lbeham]

This is probably a dumb question, but doesn't my computer have a recovery console built into it?  I know when I boot up it shows 2 things, either windows xp or I believe the other one says something about recovery or something. 

[Allan]

The Recovery Console can be installed as a boot option, though it's not there by default. But if whoever installed your OS did install the RC as a boot option that's great (I think everyone should). If it's there, just select it at boot and go from there.

[lbeham]

I think I do have that.  I will check when I get home.  I was afraid to mess with it, that is why I didn't try it.  Is there any advice or anything that I need to know before I try it?

[Allan]

When you boot to the recovery console you'll be asked two questions. First you'll be asked which windows installation you want - enter the number 1. Then you'll be asked for a password. Assuming there is none, just press ENTER. You'll be dropped at a command prompt. At that point type: chkdsk /r and press ENTER.

It will run two scans (one for file integrity, the second for disk integrity). When it's finished you'll be told it found and repaired one or more errors. Type "exit" and press enter. The system will reboot. To be honest, I don't expect this to fix your problems, but we need to get it out of the way before doing a repair install.

[lbeham]

Okay, I will look as soon as I get home and let you know what happens.  I will post back later tonight.  Thank you for your help so far. 

[Allan]

Sure

[lbeham]

Okay,I did the chkdsk /r and it didn't help. What next?

[Allan]

The only option I can think of at this point is a repair install, and for that you do need an XP CD (the same version that is currently installed - Home or Pro - and with a service pack at least as current as installed). Boot to the CD and this time choose the SECOND repair option. This will install XP on top of itself, replacing all system files with their original versions. All installed programs and settings should remain intact, but you will have to download all MS Updates after doing the repair.

[lbeham]

okay. thank you for all your help.  once i get the cd i will do that and post back.