It started after I uninstalled (via control panel) numerous programs/files I no longer use.

I have to hold the power button on for several seconds to get it to shut off. When re-booting I get the "restore active desktop" white screen. After restoring via this button, all works fine until time to shutdown again. Then the cycle repeats.....

Go to start, and click on run...:
type msconfig and press enter...:
A window titled "System configuration Utility" appears:
If radio button "Selective startup" is not selected, click on it,
unselect all check box, and click apply button, then click OK, the system wish restart, click yes.
After reboot, run another time msconfig ("System configuration Utility"), select now "Normal Startup" radio button, and click OK, the system wish restart, click yes.
The next time you restart , it may be all be better.

Hope you're still checking this! Your suggestion worked the first time I tried it, but since then I still get the same problem. The white startup screen comes up and I have to "restore active desktop." Same error on shutdown as described.

I'm at a loss. Any help, again, would be appreciated.

Thanks for your response. I will try this as I'm at work now and not at that machine. Will let you know.

Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.
On the Desktop tab, click None in the Select an Internet Document (HTML) or a picture box, and then click OK.
Click the Restore the Active Desktop link on the Active Desktop Safe Mode screen, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restore your Active Desktop settings.

Did this fix the problem?