Desktop not showing anything (no start button, toolbar, icons, etc.)

[jaredean]

Friday before I left for the day programs just suddenly started
erroring out and then i got a BSOD. I had to go home, so i just let
it reboot itself and left for the day. Came in this morning and it
looks like it was trying to do a scandisk over the weekend (which only
takes a few minutes) and was stopped on part 2 of 3...

so, i shut it down, started it up and let it go through it again
(which it accomplished)...but, once it started up again I could login,
but had no desktop icons, no start bar, nothing. I can do a CRTL +
ALT + DEL to bring of the task manager, but that is it. I can also
login using safe mode, but I can't see anything in there either.

It seemed like Explorer.exe process wasn't running, but when I tried
to start it (Task Manager > New Task) it wouldn't start (once it shut
down again)...

The last thing i did before it had problems was install the new Itunes
8 and was moving stuff to my iPod...

I just want to get to a system restore window and take it back to
Friday Morning (or get in and uninstall iTunes)...

Any ideas?

thanks,
jared

 

[Ellie J]

Friday before I left for the day programs just suddenly started
erroring out and then i got a BSOD. I had to go home, so i just let
it reboot itself and left for the day. Came in this morning and it
looks like it was trying to do a scandisk over the weekend (which only
takes a few minutes) and was stopped on part 2 of 3...

so, i shut it down, started it up and let it go through it again
(which it accomplished)...but, once it started up again I could login,
but had no desktop icons, no start bar, nothing. I can do a CRTL +
ALT + DEL to bring of the task manager, but that is it. I can also
login using safe mode, but I can't see anything in there either.

It seemed like Explorer.exe process wasn't running, but when I tried
to start it (Task Manager > New Task) it wouldn't start (once it shut
down again)...

The last thing i did before it had problems was install the new Itunes
8 and was moving stuff to my iPod...

I just want to get to a system restore window and take it back to
Friday Morning (or get in and uninstall iTunes)...

Any ideas?

thanks,
jared

The iTunes update to version 8 had a incompatible
driver in it for those using Vista.
Today iTunes put out a new version of #8,you need to
first uninstall iTunes along with the Apple Mobile
Device Support also before downloading the newer version.

You may need to go into SafeMode to uninstall iTunes
or to do a system restore back to before the iTunes
download.

If you do a google search for iTunes 8 problems you'll
find alot of posts about the problem.

 

[jaredean]

thanks for the reply, but i am posting here not because i don't know
how to uninstall a program - but because i don't know how to get into
control panel / add/remove programs when i can't see the start button,
task bar, icons, etc...

i can't even do it in safe mode! there is absolutly NOTHING when i
boot up except for a blank desktop...

plesae help me get to system restore / add remove...

jared

 

[jimbo571]

try pressing *windows* button to the right of the left Ctrl button .

 

[jaredean]

i tried that...nothing...

there is nothing on the desktop, no start menu, no my computer,
nothing...the only thing i can do is ctrl + alt + del which gives me
no way of running it...

jared

 

[The Todal]

i tried that...nothing...

there is nothing on the desktop, no start menu, no my computer,
nothing...the only thing i can do is ctrl + alt + del which gives me
no way of running it...

jared

You can do ctrl+alt+delete, bring up the Task Manager, do New Task and type
Control Panel - yes, it's that easy.

I had exactly the problem you describe and had to send it to a computer
technician who discovered a virus or trojan (not sure which) and eradicated
it with a virus removing program. I would therefore recommend that you
update your antivirus program and run a thorough check, then try Trend Micro
Housecall (you can start Firefox presumably, using the Task Manager) and run
that to the end of its scan.

 

[The Todal]

You can do ctrl+alt+delete, bring up the Task Manager, do New Task and
type Control Panel - yes, it's that easy.

I had exactly the problem you describe and had to send it to a computer
technician who discovered a virus or trojan (not sure which) and
eradicated it with a virus removing program. I would therefore recommend
that you update your antivirus program and run a thorough check, then try
Trend Micro Housecall (you can start Firefox presumably, using the Task
Manager) and run that to the end of its scan.

Also worth trying:

System restore (task manager, new task,
c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe)

Downloading the program Malwarebytes and scanning your computer with that,
if your normal antivirus program hasn't detected an infection.

 

[Richard in AZ]

When you Right-Mouse click on the desktop, do you get a menu?
If so, in the menu is "Arrange Icons" and option?
If so, when you select Arrange Icons", is "Show Icons" checked?
If not, check it.
When you move your mouse to the very bottom of the screen does the task bar appear?
If not, does it appear when your move the mouse to one of the edges or top?

|
| boys i really need your help. i've got the same problem, when i log on i
| see only my background and my mouse. i have changed in 2 days for 4
| times windows because i was thinking he needs a formating but nothing
| problem still appear.after 3 times or more when i din;t see nothing then
| in another start of windows everything is normal. i relly don't
| understand..i tried also repair windows or system restore or new
| drivers. i was thinking it was a virus or a errorin system. what is the
| worst is that in some moments when i have the "luck" to get on my
| notebook makes some noices, is the sound like in error but nothing
| appear. What it can be? some friend told me is bios problmes or RAM
| memory is damaged. what do you think?
|
|
| --
| robertinho
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------
| robertinho's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/members/89363.htm
| View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/windows-xp-support/1038700.htm
|
| http://forums.techarena.in
|

 

[Iceman]

My Computer says there was an unauthorized change made to windows
Then it says Windows will be limited functioning
It shows me something that says learn more online so i click that
then it takes me to a site Windows Vista Genuine Validation Results
there telling me steps to fix my cpu but i need the start button which
is not showing up on my cpu or the desktop either

The Start button is a part of the Taskbar which is a part of explorer.exe.
Now click Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open the Task Manager and see if explorer.exe
is running. If it isn't, then it may have been disabled by malware.

Run a spyware/virus scan and then try creating a new user account, since
your old one may be corrupted.

 

[Jose]

My Computer says there was an unauthorized change made to windows
Then it says Windows will be limited functioning
It shows me something that says learn more online so i click that
then it takes me to a site Windows Vista Genuine Validation Results
there telling me steps to fix my cpu but i need the start button which
is not showing up on my cpu or the desktop either

--
djfresh4lyfe
------------------------------------------------------------------------
djfresh4lyfe's Profile:http://forums.techarena.in/members/125294.htm
View this thread:http://forums.techarena.in/windows-xp-support/1038700.htm

http://forums.techarena.in

If your Start button and Taskbar are missing, there are no desktop
icons, only your wallpaper is showing, your mouse cursor moves and you
can CTRL+ALT+DEL to invoke Task Manager, check the Processes tab to
see if explorer.exe is running.

If explorer.exe is not running, it needs to be. explorer.exe "is"
your desktop. Malware can keep it from starting/running.

In Task Manger, click File, New Task and in the Open box, type:

explorer.exe

Click OK.

That should get you going, but your system is not fixed.

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

After the scans, troubleshoot any remaining issues.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

*-Hi, My name is Mr Akheel Ahmed. i have a trick for the people who
are facing problem "Desktop not showing on startup/Sys Loads.

Try This trick: Restart your system, when system load and blue
screen appear open TASK MANAGER (Ctrl + Alt + Del), Now select NEW
TASK option, in the text box write there EXPLORER and OK. Problem
Solved....-*

I would not say that is a solution - maybe a work-around. If it happens
again - you will have to do it again. It should not be happening at all.