Startup problems

Hi,
Having a weird problem i cant quite figure out, after restarting my volume icon is gone from taskbar, I can't access network connections ( in control panel), and upon entering "my computer" have noticed my printer and other connected devices are no longer shown under the optical drives and hard drive.

I've had this problem repeatedly, but seems to sometimes radomly sort itself out.

Wonderd if anyone had any ideas on why this happens and ways to resolve it for good.

Thanks

You might consider a Repair Install of XP.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Hello
i have recently done a system restore whiched worked one time, but not on subsequent attempts.

I have also done a System recovery which fixed the problem , but it returned once I reinstalled my personal software and ran the computer for some time after.

I've even made a "working" list through msconfig and services.msc to doublecheck these areas when the problem reappeared and have found no changes. I have also spoken to Hewlett Packard and Microsoft had no answer on numerous contacts.

I could do another recovery, I would just like to know what is causing this to avoid having to keep recovering the system.

Its a strange one this, any other ideas would be great
thanks