Help! 2008 MacBook (non-unibody) will boot to custom desktop pic but no menu or dock, just the picture.

I have a 2008 MacBook (non-unibody). It will boot to the custom desktop pic, but the Apple menu and dock are not available. I cannot boot into safe mode. I can boot from the OS DVD and run disk repair, but that has not helped the issue. Any advice?

I would love to see your real full (sans ser no) System Profile
You don't mention what you are using. If not the ATI 5770 or above, get one.
Replace the graphic card likely even as troubleshooting
reset SMC
Make a current clone or two
Boot off clone or setup a clean new emergency system for maintenance
Safe Boot
Recovery Mode
Start a new 2nd TimeMachine (I swap out and use one about once a month for insurance)
Never used it and not endoring spending or using but TechTool Pro 7 does more testing
The fewer background goodies the better but monitoring temps, fans, memory are useful.
Temperature Monitor, SmcFanControl 2.4+
I dont' think you need to be using ClamXav
A system performs better with less
New computer? maybe a new disk drive. Maybe more or swap out some or all FBDIMMs. Maybe just a clean system. Worse case, you updated from SL to Lion/ML and didn't do a clean break.
Early 2008 3,1 that you have have been more tempermental for a goodly number of users.
How To Create an OS X Lion Install disc
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20080989-263/how-to-create-an-os-x-lion-ins tallation-disc
http://www.coolestguyplanettech.com/how-to-make-a-bootable-osx-10-8-mountain-lio n-disc-or-drive-from-the-downloaded-mountain-lion-app/
ATI Radeon 5770
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC742ZM/A
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-ATI-Radeon-5770-MC742ZM/dp/B003Z6QH6http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/726537-REG/Apple_MC742ZM_A_ATI_Radeon_HD_5 770.html

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    Message was edited by: Mr Cuttle

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