Win XP Pro Problem

[StuntMonkeh]

After an windows update last night and a botched startup where the programs hung the PC loads only the desktop picture after login and thats it. No start bar, if I right click the desktop there is no menu. The only thing I can do is open the task manager using ctrl+alt+del. There are no programs not responding and there are no tasks using the resources.
I have started the system in safe mode and performed a system restore, but the problem remains. I was going to use the repair function (not using repair console) on the XP install but it doesn't seem to provide that option for some reason.
Can anyone help... I really do not want to have to perform a fresh install, its time more than anything the reason for not wanting to. I don't think I have any critical data on the drive I need to keep. Although its such a PITA to load all the correct drivers in again!

 

[t31os]

When you are in windows and have the task manager up see if explorer.exe is running, if it is, end the process.

Click on File then New Task (Run...) and type in explorer.exe and hopfully this should at least get windows responding.

Next run the system file checker Run > sfc /scannow

 

[StuntMonkeh]

Hmmm... explorer.exe does not want to shut down and ends up hanging the task manager. I can open another one but it doesn't appear to work. Nothing appears to happen if run the system file checker... Not sure if thats normal but I would expect to see something happening. I'm going to see if it works in safe mode...