explorer.exe won't start

[BadHead]

Hi,

I am trying to sort a friends computer that the unusual problem of
explorer.exe not starting on bootup. Whenever I try to launch it from
TaskManager>File>New task (Run...), the taskbar appears for a split second
and then disappears. I cannot restore to a time before this happened as I
cannot reach the restore applet, and SP2 was installed after this issue
began as an attempt to solve it. I know I could uninstall SP2 and then
restore (If I could access the applet), but I think that would cause more
problems than it would cure. The friend has lost the Windows XP disc and so
re-installation is not an option.

The desktop is still intact as I can browse there when trying to start a new
task from TaskManager.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
--
BadHead
---

OS: Windows XP Professional SP2 (32-bit)
Office Suite: Microsoft Office 2003 Professional SP2
MoBo: Abit AN8 Fatal1ty
CPU: AMD64 3200 (Venice Core)
RAM: 2048Mb 400Ghz Patriot XBLK (4X512MB)
GPU: NVIDIA 6800 (Driver Version 78.01)
Sound: Creative Audigy X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS

 

[Guest]

hv u tried it out safe mode?

 

[Guest]

run w/dis:

%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

 

[BadHead]

Hi,

thanks for your help, but this problem before the last restore point had
been set, and so there was no point in doing this. The problem had also
been present in safe mode and so the only thing that was left open to me was
to re-install the whole system from a spare XP Disc I Had lying about. As
this was for an old computer I don't use now, I thought it fair enough to
re-use it on this one. I'll take XP off the old system and put on a Linux
distro.

Once again, thanks for your responses.