Desktop Crashes Explorer

I am running XP home edition SP2. Last night some time explorer crashed (on more than one ocasion). I have discovered now that it is due to something on my desktop, as whenever I log on, explorer crashes, or if I try to acces my desktop folder through another users profile, explorer crashes. It would be of benefit if I could keep what I have stored on my desktop. I want to know how to fix this problem, or access my desktop without explorer crashing. Any suggestions welcome.