Windows XP: Wierd Logon xp pro

Wierd Logon xp pro

Hello, im usually pretty good with the workings of xp pro, but here is a new one i cant figure out yet. I have xp pro w/sp3, IE 7 pro. I never required a password to log on to xp, system was simply set up to go right to the desktop. Suddenly windows wants a user name and password, which i had saved. Now when windows gets to the desktop my icons seem dim and i am missing all of my programs on my start button. I can go into explorer and see the programs listed there. I also am missing my former links on my toolbars, even though the tab is checked small icons. The only programs i see from the desktop start button are the last two programs i setup just the past day ago before the logon problem started. I also had some spyware on, "RON IBANNER" or something similar to that. I used stopZilla to remove it, but that did not work, had to get some malware software to fix the problem...I do have acronis backup i can use, but want to see if i can fix the problem first...thanks...

jcrow