Blank screen on startup, missing icons, taskbar

I have a Dimension 8100 with Windows XP Pro.

I was running IE 6 when the computer just froze up and It would not allow me to maximize any windows or click on any icons. I restarted the computer by turning it off and then back on. I noticed that the computer was very quiet and still is. After the Windows XP Startup screen, there is a blank black screen for about 1-2 minutes. It then goes to a blue screen and requests the password for login as normal. Once logged in, the start windows sound plays and only my desktop wallpaper is loaded. No icons or the taskbar appear. I can open task manager and run programs like IE and get online but I must end "Explorer.exe" first so the computer does not freeze when I try and run "iexplore.exe."

I have entered Safe Mode and the taskbar and icons appear but system restore is not accessible nor does starting from last known good configuration help at all. I have run Ad-aware and Norton Anti-Virus with no luck. I have used the taskbar repair tool from kelley's korner with no luck either. "sfc /scannow" kept asking for the CD when it was in there the whole time and did not appear to help. I am all out of answers and have read through solutions to similar problems in these forums but none seemed to work.

The silence of the computer is very odd to me, however. If anyone can help me with this situation I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time.

James