Anilrgowda

Question: On my son's notebook, after Windows launches, it goes to a lower-definition fuzzy background with no bottom line. Using ctrl-alt-del and looking at the processes, there is no "explorer.exe". Is there an easy way around this?

Anilrgowda

um no, depends on what you call easy, may not be an explorer problem.
lower-definition fuzzy background sounds like the display is not using the correct drivers.
Check the rivers roll them back for the display.
run a dxdiag at start run type that in

Have you tried system restore?
Look in control panel administrative tools event viewer applications errors, if you could copy an event relating to this issue or the most recent one back here with id number. hit the white icon below the down arrow in an opened event this copies it.

look in device manager view unhide hidden devices and check them for problem devices,
have you scanned the system for malware?
run a system file checker at start run type in cmd press enter then type in sfc /scannow
does your on have a sp2 cd is sp2 installed as full operating system or an add on to sp1?
the reason I ask is a repair ( not thru recovery so will need the xp key) will quickly fix most windows porblems if it not malware. And h wont lose any files.
Sp2 add on can be uninstalled from add remove.
Is the a DEL or HP that repair is different again.

lets check your machine for spyware even though you may think its free it is the first place to start.
download HijackThis 1.99.1,from the direct link top right corner
HijackThis Logfileauswertung
save it to a folder on your desktop and then install to that.
run the scan and save a log but dont fix
copy the entire log and paste it there as well>> HijackThis Logfileauswertung
below the panel hit analyze, now just scroll down to
have a look at the results of the analyzed log.

then copy that URL back here if you need any assistance,
if it finds anything re-run and fix it.

Delete all your history and temporary internet files.

run ccleaner
CCleaner.com
good luck this will let us know if there is a more serious problem and requires more work.