vista start menu problems

[blackmelody]

I am almost beginning to hate Vista now. Everything was fine yesterday, I was listening to some music when my comp froze and nothing was working for a bit. So i restarted the computer and my desktop wallpaper changed to the windows default one and then issues began to get worse. Now, when i click on start, the menu is empty, and i have to click on app pogrammes to start a programme. When i try to pin frequently used programms to the start menu it doesnt happen. Also the recent items tab doesnt get populated. I tried a system restore 3 times and everytime the comp started a message appeared saying there was an error and the system couldnt be restored. Windows help is of no use at all. I tried windows website, that is crap too. Nothing helps. I tried restoring to last known good configuration. Even that didnt help. Im so frustrated when something doesnt function on my comp. When i tried printing something i got some message saying install printer when the printer is already installed. I run Kaspersky and checked the comp for a virus, nothing shows up. Please help.

Thanx