BleepingComputer.com: white bar instead of blue, won't open internet explorer

[size="4"][b]Hi, I am having problems with my laptop, the task bar at the bottom of screen is white instead of blue and it won't allow me to access internet explorer. I have checked my wireless connection which works. when I click on the internet explorer icon, the outline of a window flickers on for half a second but will not open. I am at a loss, any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanx