Windows XP fails to load desktop and desktop items

[kylecarey]

windows xp will log on to the home screen but will not load the desktop icons or task bar ... also when i go to open the task manager it comes up with a message saying 'your administrator has disabled task manager' ... i can literally do nothing! i think it may be something to do with a virus?

 

[JMMD]

Sounds like a virus. Take a look at the virus removal procedures thread and follow the steps.

 

[sethbest]

i suggest safe mode then give combofix a run.

 

[AlbertLionheart]

If this is on a machine with multiple user accounts, it might be an update that caused this. You could also try a system restore to a date before you first found the problem.