BleepingComputer.com: Starting Up, No Processes Run

I had turned off my computer, no problems whatsoever. Then today after turning on my computer and logging on, the screen was completely black. I could use my mouse and even the task manager. Doing that I ran explorer.exe from the task manager. By doing this, I was able to at least get on the internet (mozilla wouldn't work, using IE right now) and actually see my desktop. Many things are not running normally, and the theme is set to windows vista basic for some reason. Also, in my list of processes in the task manager I only have a few running, as compared to the usual huge list on a normal working start up. Help would be greatly appreciated, just hoping I don't have to reformat or do anything extreme.

This could be a malware issue, a problem with Windows, your video drivers, an issue with your hard drive, or a host of other things.

Can you connect to the internet to do a malware scan? If so, try this free one: http://housecall.trendmicro.com

If not, do you have a copy of the Vista installation DVD, or can you run "Repair your computer" from the screen that launches Safe Mode?
To get to the Safe Mode screen, start tapping the F8 key before the Windows splash screen appears. For more instructions on Startup Repair, visit this link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/repair-windows-with-windows-startup-repair/

If you can get into Safe Mode, try uninstalling your video drivers. Let us know the make and model of your system so we can look up the replacement drivers that you'll need.