For a one-off restart into Safe Mode go Start, run, enter msconfig; under Boot.ini tab check /Safeboot, Apply, Close, select Restart.
You could run this to give us a look at recent files and a few other settings..
==Download this file to your desktop: http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/ComboFix.exe
- to run it dclick combofix.exe and follow the prompts to start it. When finished, it will produce a log, C:\Combofix.txt - post that log in your next reply.
A word of caution - do not touch your mouse/keyboard until the scan has completed. The scan will temporarily disable your desktop, and if interrupted may leave your desktop disabled. If this occurs reboot to restore the desktop.
Other than that it appears that some registrations have been corrupted; I would try a Repair of Windows via the Setup on your installation CD.