Programs will not start at startup

[Derfel]

1) Windows XP SP1
2) P4 2.4, 512 rdram 1066, 60gb ata100 drive, nvidia fx5500
3) Hey, my programs at startup will not start, so my firewall/antivirus, aol, etc will not start. Even if I start them manually, they will not come up on the Notification area(the toolbar by the clock on the taskbar). So my antivirus cannot auto-protect or anything. Anyway to solve this error?
4) No error message
5) Cannot run a antivirus

[itechwiz]

Hi Derfel

Have you tried booting to safe mode yet? What happened?

[Derfel]

Doesnt seem to make a difference. It reacts the same in safe mode- no aol, firewall, antivirus, no anything at start up.

[itechwiz]

Have you tried booting from the recovery console? Try this. If you arent sure how to carry this out let me know for instructions.

[Derfel]

Can you please post instructions? Thanks

[itechwiz]

You said youre having trouble with safe mode....so you mean you cannot get into the system via safe mode??

[Derfel]

Ok, the windows xp loads and everything is fine. Its just that the no program loads when windows comes up and I kinda need a firewall/other programs at start up.