xp boots but no taskbar, shortcuts, icons, desktop etc...

[indokyne]

I'm helping a guy with an old school comp running xp.

when i start the pc up, it goes into windows fine but all that comes up is the desktop wallpaper. there's no taskbar or icons / my documents, recycle bin etc.

it's just blank except for the wall paper.

i can ctrl+alt+del and get task manager but it doesn't look like anything fishy is running BUT if i'm not mistaken, aren't i supposed to see some kind of EXPLORER running?

any help is appreciated...

 

[indokyne]

quick update - i went to
File
New Task (Run...)
and browsed for C"\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

when I hit OK, i see the start taskbar (bottom) flash on then disappear again...