disappearing desktop

[Gordon J. Rattray]

Hi there,

I have an XP machine here, and it boots up just into where you see the
background and nothing more.

If I press Ctrl-Alt-Del, I can get programs running and the desktop up
temporarily by putting "explorer.exe" in the New Task method. Then the
desktop will disappear.

I've AVG virus scanned it, SpyBotted, and Ad Awared it, done Hijack This,
all to no avail... Also, I did an SFC/ Scannow and all the files are there.

There's something more to it....what?

Thanks,

Gordon

 

[Wesley Vogel]

In Windows, why do my Start button and Taskbar seem to be missing?
http://kb.indiana.edu/data/abhv.html?cust=838017.91984.30

This behavior can occur if the Windows settings for a particular user
account are corrupted.

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318027

Also...

Taskbar is Missing
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/xp_taskbar_desktop_fixall.vbs

To use the VBS Files: Download .vbs file and save it to your hard drive
(you may want to right click and use Save Target As). Double click the vbs
file. You will be prompted when the script is done.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Gordon J. Rattray]

Hi Wesley,

Nope, none of those works, the same thing happens in Safe Mode.

When I run Task Manager, and I run explorer.exe, the desktop appears along
with the taskbar for a few seconds and then disappears....

Gordon

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Hi Gordon,

Make sure that you are logged on as who you think you are.

Start | Run | Type: %userprofile% | Click OK

C:\Documents and Settings\Some User Name should open.

Is the Some User Name correct?

If you get any of these:
C:\Documents and Settings\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\UserName.ComputerName
C:\Documents and Settings\UserName.ComputerName.000
The user profile was so corrupt that Windows created a new profile.

You can also do this.
Ctrl + Alt + Del | File | New Task (Run...) |
Type: %userprofile% | Click OK

If the easy fixes did not help and the profile is ok or sort of ok see the
harder methods here.

Method 1: Troubleshoot by Starting Windows with a Minimal Set of Drivers
Method 2: Create a New User Account
Method 3: Repair Windows XP
Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318027

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Rock]

Hi there,

I have an XP machine here, and it boots up just into where you see the
background and nothing more.

If I press Ctrl-Alt-Del, I can get programs running and the desktop up
temporarily by putting "explorer.exe" in the New Task method. Then the
desktop will disappear.

I've AVG virus scanned it, SpyBotted, and Ad Awared it, done Hijack This,
all to no avail... Also, I did an SFC/ Scannow and all the files are
there.

There's something more to it....what?

Did you try a system restore to before the problem occurred?

 

[Kelly]

This generally has to do with display drivers. If you have recently updated
them (especially via MS updates) try a rollback.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

SUPERAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com?rid=3154

 

[Gordon J. Rattray]

Hi Kelly,

I tried this, but all the previous restoration points were wiped out.....

What to do?

Thanks,

Gordon

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I tried this, but all the previous restoration points were wiped out.

What to do?

Do not try to rollback any drivers via the System Restore tool.
"How to manage devices in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283658/en-us

--> Rolling back to a previous version of a driver

 

[Gordon J. Rattray]

Hi Detlev,

I tried that, also, but it said there were no video drivers to roll back
to...

What next?

Gordon

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I tried that, also, but it said there were no video drivers to roll
back to...

What next?

This may happen in some cases, especially when a driver has been installed
via the Microsoft Update site. If this was the case, just re-install the
previous driver from its installation media. Good luck.