problems with windows xp

I have had many problems and i am slowly getting them fixed. The first problem was that my laptop got a virus and it after i started my computer up again it wouldnt load anything. Not even "WINDOWS explorer." Only my background image and my cursor would show up. No icons, no start menu, nothing. But i could bring up the task manager by pressing ctr+alt+del and access programs and folders that way. But not everything would load up. I got another antivirus prog installed and cleaned my system, but it still wouldnt load up "WINDOWS explorer" So i restarted my computer in safe mode....bad idea. Its stuck in safe mode and i cant bring up the task manager anymore while in safe mode. I then took out my hard drive from my laptop and plugged it in through a USB port into my desk top. My Question is how would i go about getting "WINDOWS explorer" fixed and to be able to load back up on my laptop? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Did you install the second a/v program without removing the first one?

If so, do both apps have real-time protection?

only the second one does that i installed. but thats not the problem, i got my system clened.

Are you comfortable with editing system files at a command prompt?

never edited files from the command prompt before but i m a fast learner.

If i were to save a back up of my "windows" folder onto my desktop hard drive and and replace the original and copy the "windows" folder that belongs to my desktop and put it onto my laptop hard drive would that work?

Let's not go there yet.

As it stands now, what is showing on your desktop?

Just a blank screen?

yes and its in safe mode and i cant get it out of safe mode. I tried pushing the F8 key during the boot process and then i selected the option "start windows normally" but it stays in safe mode.

Go to Start > Run and type in msconfig

Select the BOOT.INI tab and remove the "tick" beside /SAFEBOOT in the lower section of the tab screen.

Click Apply

Click Ok

Reboot as directed.

the start men u doesnt show up either