WinXP - Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

I have been searching high and low for a solution to the issue a friend has brought to me. This Acer system will boot up normally aas well as in safe mode to nothing but a blank desktop (no icons or taskbar) regardless of what profile I try. The only thing I can do to run anything is open the Task Manager. When I try to run explorer.exe (normal mode or safe mode) the taskbar flashes then goes away. When I try to run internet explorer I get the same result - minus the flashing taskbar. I have tried the installed Norton as well as AVG 8 (Free), finding noting out of the ordinary. Since I dont have a web browser I cant try the online scanners. I also tried "Super Anti-Spyware" (as recommended by another few sites), again, nothing out of the ordinary.

Several people seem to have had the issue but no one had a viable solution or if they did they never posted it. If anyone out there has a solution - short of reformatting and reinstalling windows, I am all ears. We all know you should back up important data but we also know that there is only about 1% of us that do. Given that this isnt my own PC, reformatting isnt really an option as the owner wanted his install salvaged.

I have pasted a copy of the HiJack This log (ComboFix log is in the next post as it wouldnt fit in this one) below, is there someone out there that can shed a little light on this very perplexing issue?

Thanks in advance...

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 1:18:34 PM, on 10/3/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
H:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
H:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
H:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
H:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
H:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
H:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
H:\Program Files\Spotmau WinCare 2008\sub\FSDRIVER\FolderProtectService.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
H:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\NPROTECT.EXE
H:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe
H:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe
H:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\SPEEDD~1\NOPDB.EXE
H:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\sp_rsser.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AppCore\AppSvc32.exe
H:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
H:\Program Files\Spotmau WinCare 2008\sub\FSDRIVER\FolderProtect.exe
H:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
I:\Tech Tools\HiJack This\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - H:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - H:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - H:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Norton Personal Firewall 2006 - {9ECB9560-04F9-4bbc-943D-298DDF1699E1} - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - h:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - H:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\3.1.807.1746\swg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - h:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton Personal Firewall 2006 - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ehTray] H:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MsmqIntCert] regsvr32 /s mqrt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTrayp] VTtrayp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "H:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [osCheck] "H:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\osCheck.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [V0410Mon.exe] H:\WINDOWS\V0410Mon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NSWosCheck] H:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\osCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec PIF AlertEng] "H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PIFSvc.exe" /a /m "H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\AlertEng.dll"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] H:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleSyncNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "H:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "H:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SRFirstRun] rundll32 srclient.dll,CreateFirstRunRp
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "H:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] H:\PROGRA~1\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Desktop Secretary] "H:\Program Files\Spotmau WinCare 2008\sub\Desktop_Secretary\Desktop_Secretary.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] H:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = H:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - H:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\npjpi160_07.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - H:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\npjpi160_07.dll
O9 - Extra button: Express Cleanup - {5E638779-1818-4754-A595-EF1C63B87A56} - H:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Cleanup\WCQuick.lnk
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Express Cleanup - {5E638779-1818-4754-A595-EF1C63B87A56} - H:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Cleanup\WCQuick.lnk
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - H:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - H:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - H:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - H:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - H:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://photos.walmart.com/WalmartActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} (Facebook Photo Uploader Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/...toUploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {6A344D34-5231-452A-8A57-D064AC9B7862} (Symantec Download Manager) - https://webdl.symantec.com/activex/symdlmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative.com/su2/CTL_V020...5034/CTPID.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - H:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - H:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - H:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Internet Security Password Validation (ccISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Norton Personal Firewall\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Proxy (ccProxy) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: FolderProtectService - Unknown owner - H:\Program Files\Spotmau WinCare 2008\sub\FSDRIVER\FolderProtectService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Desktop Manager 5.7.806.10245 (GoogleDesktopManager-061008-081103) - Unknown owner - H:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - H:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - H:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec IS Password Validation (ISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\isPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - H:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service Ex (LiveUpdate Notice Ex) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PIFSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton UnErase Protection (NProtectService) - Symantec Corporation - H:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\NPROTECT.EXE
O23 - Service: Speed Disk service - Symantec Corporation - H:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\SPEEDD~1\NOPDB.EXE
O23 - Service: Spyware Terminator Realtime Shield Service (sp_rssrv) - Crawler.com - H:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\sp_rsser.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Unknown owner - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AppCore Service (SymAppCore) - Symantec Corporation - H:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AppCore\AppSvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - H:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe

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