Can't access Task Manager.

I'm a bit lost here.  About a week ago my computer started acting up a bit and at one point froze up.  So I restarted it using the power button and when Windows started up I tried to use the Task Manager to see if the problem was poor performance or maybe something else.  But no such luck.  When I hit Ctrl + Alt + Delete the "busy in the background" animated cursor popped up for a second, but nothing ever happened.  So I tried to access it from the actual file in the C:\WINDOWS folder and still nothing.  I thought it may have been a virus or something to do with spyware but after using Trendmicro's Housecall Scan there was no change.  I ever tried a repair installation of Windows XP but that didn't seem to work either.

 

So I hope that someone can help me figure this missing Task Manager thing out.  I'm affraid something malicious might be lying in my computer.

 

 

P.S.  I also had some trouble with the Windows Media Player application but that issue was resolved with a download and reinstallation from the Microsoft website.