Greetings!
I just discovered this site trying to find an answer to a Windows XP problem. WOW! Lots of good stuff here!

I have a Dell Inspiron 530 thats a couple years old, running XP and Avast as the anti virus software.
Recently, Avast warned me a Trojan had been detected but not to worry ...just move it to the chest, which I did.
Now, UPON startup, after the desktop appears the ICONS in the system tray are missing and the POINTER becomes an hourglass when crossing onto the task bar. I am unable to click on ANYTHING including the start button.
I tried this Microsoft fix from the safe mode but it didn't change anything:

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
2. Click Services and Applications.
3. Double-click Services.
4. In the Services list, right-click SSDP Discovery Service, and then click Properties.
5. On the General tab, in the Startup TYPE drop-down list, click Disabled.
6. Click OK.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Folkletic
Have you tried going to control panel to mouse settings and change pointer settings to default. It has worked at times.

Good LuckDo a system restore to a point prior to the problem starting in Safe Mode:

Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore / choose a restore point.

Alan <><