Taskbar/desktop icons disappear when explorer used

[Hobbes]

I've searched high and low for an answer, and can't seem to come up
with one... when I log on to my computer, and try to open explorer, the
taskbar and all desktop icons disappear for roughly 3 seconds, then
reappear. I am unable to open my computer/documents/music/pictures etc.
Essentially, there seems to be something stopping me from being able to
view the files on my computer. I have run Norton/Ad-Aware/Spybot
several times, and have been clean, except for one file in a recycle
bin which is left over from a former install of windows... meaning I
cannot delete it until I can get into explorer. Ha.

Has anyone ever experienced this, or know of any way to fix it? I have
tried searching, but have come up empty. Thanks in advance!

 

[Malke]

I've searched high and low for an answer, and can't seem to come up
with one... when I log on to my computer, and try to open explorer, the
taskbar and all desktop icons disappear for roughly 3 seconds, then
reappear. I am unable to open my computer/documents/music/pictures etc.
Essentially, there seems to be something stopping me from being able to
view the files on my computer. I have run Norton/Ad-Aware/Spybot
several times, and have been clean, except for one file in a recycle
bin which is left over from a former install of windows... meaning I
cannot delete it until I can get into explorer. Ha.

Has anyone ever experienced this, or know of any way to fix it? I have
tried searching, but have come up empty. Thanks in advance!

You have something that is starting with Windows that is taking up all the
cpu cycles.

1. Make sure that the computer is completely virus/malware-free:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

I know you said you have run antivirus/antimalware but take a look at my
procedures. If you didn't follow the preparatory work and scan in Safe
Mode, please do so after updating all security programs' definitions.

2. If the machine is really clean, do clean-boot troubleshooting to
determine what is taking over at startup:

Clean boot in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434
and How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

Malke