Question : Windows XP startup issue

I have a PC that I'm working on. The original problem was when the PC would start I would get the logon screen. After logging on, all I would get was the wallpaper with no icons, taskbar, etc...  I could do a Ctl-Alt-Del and then start explorer.exe and the icons would show up. I suspected that there was a virus causing the problem.

After running Spybot on another PC that had a similar problem (and thus causing further issues with it) I made an attempt to repair the windows files via the installation CD. Once it ran and rebooted, now I do not even get to the logon screen. I just get to a black screen with the arrow (cursor). Ctl-Atl-Del doesn't do anything and if I force the power off and restart, the system tells me that it is restarting setup.

Any thoughts. Formatting and reinstalling is not an option.

Thanks

Answer : Windows XP startup issue

I've been able to fix similar problems by replacing the registry with a backup from the system restore directory.  It is pretty complex, but the steps are here, under Part Two:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

You can either do it by connecting the hard drive as a slave in another computer, or by booting the non-working computer off a Windows XP CD to the recovery console.  Hopefully the restore points will still be there after starting the repair install