Gnome startup scripts?

[jeffry killen <jekillen prodigy net>]

I am working on Ubuntu 8.0.4; 64 bit version
Gnome version 2.22.1
The system froze on shutdown once and since then when I boot the, Gnome 
desktop fails to
display the panel as I have it set up. When I log into failsafe Gnome 
session, all appears
to work as it should. The issue seems to be with a startup script or 
startup scripts. Can
anyone tell me where these scripts are located, or should be located?
This problem does not occur with other users on this system.

Thank you in advance
JK