Today when I started up my computer my desktop never loaded. I used ctrl+alt+del to access the task manager and the explorer.exe task was not there. I tried to run it and it would instanly close. The desktop is blank. I have to run everything from the task manager. I restarted in safe mode and the desktop still does not show up. Does anyone know how I can fix this? I have Windows XP on my computer.

You might try a System Restore to a point prior to your problem:

start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

I would do that, but my desktop is blank. I have no start button. I cant figure out how to access system restore using the task manager either.

Try Safe Mode.

Press F8 between the BIOS and Windows.

Thanks again, but like I said in my original post- i tried safe mode and my desktop still did not show up. I'm thinking this may be a tough one to solve...

When you try Safe Mode you are offered System Restore as an option.

What is the make and model of the computer?

Do you have the Recovery or XP CD?

Dell Dimension 4600.

I have XP SP2.

I will try to run restore in safe mode now. I'll let you know how it works in a minute.

I could not get system restore to run using any method, so I restarted my computer and booted it normally and my desktop was back to normal but is slow now and pop-ups for websites that do not work are popping up. I am going to do some more system scans to delete what I can. If I have any new problems or can't fix I will be back to let you know. Thanks.

No problem.

You might try running a Hijack This log by professional readers:

http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread.php?t=32403

The last resort is reinstalling XP.