Cannot view my start menu or any desktop icons!

[Eric]

When I started my computer, all I could see was my
background without my start menu or any desktop icons!
How do I turn those settings back on?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Boot to Safe Mode and try using System Restore to take you back to a time
prior to when this began. Boot the system, start tapping F8, when the menu
appears, select Safe Mode. Upon entering, you should be presented with an
option to go immediately to System Restore, if not, go to Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore.

 

[Guest]

Useing system restore isnt microsoft policy for that particular incodent
you should open to desktop,press, Ctrl_Alt_Delet
This opens task mgr.,in mgr,new task,type:cm
In cmd,type:Sfc /Scanno
When the bar graph starts install xp cd,when its thru type:CHKDSK C: /
Agree to restart then type:EXIT Remove cd,restart computer.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Andrew:

I didn't know Microsoft had a specific policy with regard to this issue. If
it is their policy, it doesn't take into account that most users today don't
have an actual XP CD and the majority of those users have systems that have
no means of implementing SFC because the manufacturers all too often haven't
provided anything SFC would recognize.

For many, if not most computer issues, there's usually more than one way to
resolve such issues. I prefer to try the least invasive and simplest
approach first and quite often, that's System Restore. Further, since
System Restore only restores the system state, I'm not sure I see a lot of
difference between it and SFC in this case or at least any reason not to try
System Restore first.

Finally, the OP said in his post, he can only see his background, presumably
his desktop wallpaper without any Start Menu or any Desktop icons; he can't
run SFC and I don't believe it will run from safe mode but System Restore
will run from Safe Mode.

 

[Sharon F]

I didn't know Microsoft had a specific policy with regard to this issue.

I don't know of any such policy either, Michael. Since this desktop
situation can be caused by many problems - including registry damage - I
believe, as you do: there are several troubleshooting alternatives
available. Also agree with you that the least invasive method should be
tried first.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Thank you, Sharon.