When I start the computer I have a blue screen and nothing else. What should I do? I can get to a browser by using control alt delete and selecting new task and then browsing to my internet explorer. THanks for any help.

See if this will help.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Number 195 in the right column.
Restore Desktop Icons and Taskbar
cg

That didn't have any noticable effect. Thank you though.

Did you try a system restore to a time just before the issue started?

You have a couple of options to access system restore.
Boot into safe mode, log on with the Admin account.
Start menu/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.

OR bring up task manager, Applications tab.
New task, type in restore, then click OK.

The restore folder should open. Click on rstrui to open system restore.
Follow the prompts, reboot.

See if it worked to get your desktop back.

What happens if you press ctrl+alt+del
and in the task manager you select File >> new task
type explorer.exe into that run box. press enter.

Lines 72 and 117 from here.

Be sure the value of

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell

is set to: explorer.exe