Loss of icons, Start button

[BobL]

I lost my icons and start button after my computer froze up while on the internet. I am assuming that it may have something to do with the Ad-aware software I installed on my computer previously.

As suggested by one of the respondents (thanks for the response), I rebooted my computer in "safe mode" and did a "system restore" to a previous date when my computer functioned normally. When I booted up in normal mode, my computer still does not have the icons, start button or taskbar.

However, I did notice that when I booted up in "safe mode", I had two options (Administrator or Owner). When I select "Owner" in "safe mode", I still have no icons or start button. However, when I select "Administrator" in "safe mode" I do have all of my icons and the start button.

In reading the help screens, it appears that when I boot up normally, I should have an option of signing on as "Administrator" or "Owner" but I don't think I have never had those options before when I signed on, even when my computer was functioning normally.

I am assuming if I could my computer to boot up in normal mode as "Administrator" my problems might be over?

I was in another area (can't remember where) and noticed that "Administrator" and "Owner" on my computer are both defined as "computer administrator".

Is there some way that I can make my computer boot up in normal mode as "Administrator"?

Is there some way that I can make my "Owner" settings the same as the "Administrator" settings?

Why do I need two accounts--one for "Administrator" and one for "Owner"?

Thanks