Dude, where's his desktop,start button,taskbar etc.,

[Mike Hyndman]

A works colleague, running a Dell latitude laptop running XPPro SP2 is
experiencing a very "interesting" problem. He has no desktop icons, task bar
or start button. Right clicking on the area where the desktop should be does
not bring up any dialogue box either.
He is currently using this machine via Task Manager, which he starts with
the three fingured salute and then browses to the application or file he
wants to open. It displays exactly the same in safe mode also apart from the
usual "smart mode" etc on the screen.

History.
All was well untill he ran Xsoftspy and a registry "cleaner" and the the
problem appeared. I was able to go back in the registry checker and undo the
changes of the last sweep but this had no effect. He has not been backing up
the changes the spyware removed made so he was unable to restore this as
well. Neither can he do a system resore as this is also turned off to save
disc space. We have been able to run two virus checkers, both of which fail
to find any nasties. I've checked group policies as well just in case, and
nothing has been configured regarding the desktop.

I have searched for this problem and the only reference I can find is for
missing desktop icons, which can be enabled by right clicking etc. which we
are unable to do.
Any help with this problem most gratefully received.

Mike H

 

[Malke]

A works colleague, running a Dell latitude laptop running XPPro SP2 is
experiencing a very "interesting" problem. He has no desktop icons,
task bar or start button. Right clicking on the area where the desktop
should be does not bring up any dialogue box either.
He is currently using this machine via Task Manager, which he starts
with the three fingured salute and then browses to the application or
file he wants to open. It displays exactly the same in safe mode also
apart from the usual "smart mode" etc on the screen.

History.
All was well untill he ran Xsoftspy and a registry "cleaner" and the
the problem appeared. I was able to go back in the registry checker
and undo the changes of the last sweep but this had no effect. He has
not been backing up the changes the spyware removed made so he was
unable to restore this as well. Neither can he do a system resore as
this is also turned off to save disc space. We have been able to run
two virus checkers, both of which fail to find any nasties. I've
checked group policies as well just in case, and nothing has been
configured regarding the desktop.

I have searched for this problem and the only reference I can find is
for missing desktop icons, which can be enabled by right clicking etc.
which we are unable to do.
Any help with this problem most gratefully received.

1. Have him back up his data.

2. Review these malware removal steps to see if his scanning procedures
were similar (i.e., used the same tools, scanned in Safe Mode, did the
prep/finishing work, etc.). If he didn't, have him do them.

3. If the machine really is clean, have him try the System File Checker.
Start>Run>sfc /scannow [enter]
He will need to have his XP install CD handy.

4. If none of that works, have him try a Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install
How-To

5. If none of that works, have him clean-install Windows and not use
registry cleaners again. This is why most techs, including me, don't
recommend them.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#reinstall_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke

 

[John John]

Can he start Explorer.exe from the Task Manager?

John

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Can he start Explorer.exe from the Task Manager?

John

Yes, everthing works except for his Desktop.

Regards

Mike H

 

[Mike Hyndman]

1. Have him back up his data.

Done that (after the event)

2. Review these malware removal steps to see if his scanning procedures
were similar (i.e., used the same tools, scanned in Safe Mode, did the
prep/finishing work, etc.). If he didn't, have him do them.

Check, nothing found.

3. If the machine really is clean, have him try the System File Checker.
Start>Run>sfc /scannow [enter]
He will need to have his XP install CD handy.

It's a Dell, only shipped with a recovery disc.

4. If none of that works, have him try a Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install
How-To

5. If none of that works, have him clean-install Windows and not use
registry cleaners again. This is why most techs, including me, don't
recommend them.

Neither do I

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#reinstall_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Many thanks Malke
Regards

Mike H

 

[John John]

Try the sfc command as Malke suggested. If no joy try repairing
Internet Explorer using the ie.inf file. Try running this command:

rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132
%windir%\Inf\ie.inf

If still no joy he will have to do a reinstall.

John

 

[Malke]

Mike Hyndman wrote:

Comments inline:

Done that (after the event)

I see I left out the link:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Check, nothing found.

3. If the machine really is clean, have him try the System File
Checker. Start>Run>sfc /scannow [enter]
He will need to have his XP install CD handy.

It's a Dell, only shipped with a recovery disc.

If you are a tech, you will probably have a collection of various
flavors of XP install disks. A Dell OEM install disk (not an image, and
check to make sure his is really an image because it might be the full
XP install) for the same version he has (HE or Pro) will work just
fine. If you aren't a tech and/or don't have this collection, a local
professional will.

See comments above for the disk necessary to run a Repair Install.

Neither do I

Malke

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Try the sfc command as Malke suggested. If no joy try repairing Internet
Explorer using the ie.inf file. Try running this command:

rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132
%windir%\Inf\ie.inf

JJ,

?.No problem running IE or anything else for that matter, just his DT

If still no joy he will have to do a reinstall.

He's coming around to that idea ;(

Many thanks

Mike H

 

[John John]

Yes, I do know that the problem is with Explorer.exe and I did say to
repair Internet Explorer. Explorer.exe errors are most often caused by
a corrupt Internet Explorer. They are the proverbial Microsoft Gordian
knot! Try repairing IE, you have nothing to loose if you are at the
point of reinstalling Windows! Aslo check security permissions on
%SystemRoot% folder. See: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=256194

What about System Restore? Can you restore to an acceptable earlier state?

John

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Yes, I do know that the problem is with Explorer.exe and I did say to
repair Internet Explorer. Explorer.exe errors are most often caused by a
corrupt Internet Explorer. They are the proverbial Microsoft Gordian
knot! Try repairing IE, you have nothing to loose if you are at the point
of reinstalling Windows! Aslo check security permissions on %SystemRoot%
folder. See: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=256194

So we need an Alexander the Great
Are you saying that an AWOL desktop et al, could be caused by a corrupt
Explorer.exe, which works when typed into the TMs "newtask" box and is
corrected by an IE repair? I would never have thought of that. Can't try
until tomorrow as the owner has scuttled off home, chastened, to backup all
his work.

What about System Restore? Can you restore to an acceptable earlier
state?

No, he had it switched off to save disc space, he won't be doing that
again.

Many thanks John for your suggestions. Will let you know what happens.

Regards

Mike H

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Mike Hyndman wrote:

Comments inline:

Done that (after the event)

I see I left out the link:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Check, nothing found.

3. If the machine really is clean, have him try the System File
Checker. Start>Run>sfc /scannow [enter]
He will need to have his XP install CD handy.

It's a Dell, only shipped with a recovery disc.

If you are a tech, you will probably have a collection of various
flavors of XP install disks. A Dell OEM install disk (not an image, and
check to make sure his is really an image because it might be the full
XP install) for the same version he has (HE or Pro) will work just
fine. If you aren't a tech and/or don't have this collection, a local
professional will.

Malke,

Many thanks

I do two hours a day in a junior school, the younglings sometimes "break"
the PC's, I try and keep them running The problem laptop is a member of
staff who should know better! The are worse than the kids sometimes. I do
have one or two XP discs lying around, now you mention it (corporate
licence)

Regards

Mike H

 

[John John]

Mike Hyndman wrote:

So we need an Alexander the Great
Are you saying that an AWOL desktop et al, could be caused by a corrupt
Explorer.exe, which works when typed into the TMs "newtask" box and is
corrected by an IE repair? I would never have thought of that. Can't try
until tomorrow as the owner has scuttled off home, chastened, to backup all
his work.

Explorer.exe uses IE files for some of its features and functions. If
Internet Explorer files become corrupt, mismatched or unregistered it
can cause the type of problem that you describe with Explorer while not
seemingly affecting IE itself. These two programs are hopelessly
intertwined! Not a 100% guaranteed fix but worth a try at this stage.

John

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Mike Hyndman wrote:



Explorer.exe uses IE files for some of its features and functions. If
Internet Explorer files become corrupt, mismatched or unregistered it can
cause the type of problem that you describe with Explorer while not
seemingly affecting IE itself. These two programs are hopelessly
intertwined! Not a 100% guaranteed fix but worth a try at this stage.

John,

You will be the second to know

Regards

Mike H

 

[Malke]

I do two hours a day in a junior school, the younglings sometimes
"break" the PC's, I try and keep them running The problem laptop is
a member of staff who should know better! The are worse than the kids
sometimes. I do have one or two XP discs lying around, now you mention
it (corporate licence)

Those probably will not work. You must match the versions:

OEM HE/Pro to OEM HE/Pro (not corporate)
Retail HE/Pro to Retail HE/Pro
Upgrade Retail HE/Pro to Upgrade Retail HE/Pro

Etc.

Malke

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Those probably will not work. You must match the versions:
Bummer!

MH

OEM HE/Pro to OEM HE/Pro (not corporate)
Retail HE/Pro to Retail HE/Pro
Upgrade Retail HE/Pro to Upgrade Retail HE/Pro

Etc.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Mike Hyndman]

'snip'
Update

1. Have him back up his data.

2. Review these malware removal steps to see if his scanning procedures
were similar (i.e., used the same tools, scanned in Safe Mode, did the
prep/finishing work, etc.). If he didn't, have him do them.

Done, interestingly, the AV software couldn't read the Partition Table or
Boot Sector, "Reading error"

3. If the machine really is clean, have him try the System File Checker.
Start>Run>sfc /scannow [enter]
He will need to have his XP install CD handy.

Did this, and mindful of what you said re different flavours of XPPro, we
couldn't use the Dell disc, so tried it with an MS disc. It ran for over
half an hour "verifying files" but didn't find anything wrong. That's if it
actully checked, after what you said.

4. If none of that works, have him try a Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install
How-To

Again not possible with the Dell disc?

5. If none of that works, have him clean-install Windows and not use
registry cleaners again. This is why most techs, including me, don't
recommend them.

I think he has learned his lesson; the hard way

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#reinstall_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

That's what he has gone for with an MS installation disc and the drivers
from the Dell site.

Again, many thanks for all your help

Mike H

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Yes, I do know that the problem is with Explorer.exe and I did say to
repair Internet Explorer. Explorer.exe errors are most often caused by a
corrupt Internet Explorer. They are the proverbial Microsoft Gordian
knot! Try repairing IE, you have nothing to loose if you are at the point
of reinstalling Windows! Aslo check security permissions on %SystemRoot%
folder. See: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=256194

What about System Restore? Can you restore to an acceptable earlier
state?

John

John,

Tried the above from the command prompt to be told that InstallHinfSection
was a missing location. Went to the Ie.Inf file and right clicked and
installed it. It then asked for the location of Explore.Ex_, which was
provided (another CD), it then reinstalled the file with the same result.
(still no DT)

I have left him downloading the drivers for laptop from the Dell website.

Many thanks for your help.

Regards
Mike H