desktop and task manager help needed

[Guest]

running xp on laptop. when i log on windows, i have no desktop. the wallpaper
is there, but nothing else. the other problem is i cannot bring up the task
manager to even get into anything, as it says task manager disabled by admin.
in safe mode as admin i can get into task manager and pretty much everything
else and even bring up the icons on desktop, but nothing i've tried has
helped the regular log-in out of safe mode. in safe mode, i ran full virus
scan and spyware check and came up clean in both regards. i am at a total
loss as to what to do to fix this. any suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.

 

[Nepatsfan]

running xp on laptop. when i log on windows, i have no
desktop. the wallpaper is there, but nothing else. the other
problem is i cannot bring up the task manager to even get
into anything, as it says task manager disabled by admin. in
safe mode as admin i can get into task manager and pretty
much everything else and even bring up the icons on desktop,
but nothing i've tried has helped the regular log-in out of
safe mode. in safe mode, i ran full virus scan and spyware
check and came up clean in both regards. i am at a total
loss as to what to do to fix this. any suggestions would be
greatly appreciated.

Since the problem is not present when you are in Safe Mode, you
might want to take a look at the following procedures.
Basically what you need to do is eliminate a lot of the
processes and programs that are loaded when your computer
starts. You then start adding back items until you've
identified the program or process that's causing the problem.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility
in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows
XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434

Obviously, you'd have to start these troubleshooting procedures
from Safe Mode.

An alternative to this approach would be to download emergency
utilities provided here:

Courtesy of Doug Knox (MS-MVP)
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_emerutils.htm

With the replacement version of Task Manager, you might be able
to run explorer.exe.

Good luck

Nepatsfan