explorer.exe not running on startup and no icons on the desktop

[Guest]

When I start Windows XP Pro my icons on my desktop appear for a few seconds
then completely disappear. When I open the task manager I notice explorer.exe
is not running. In the task manager I go to File > New Task and enter
c:\windows\explorer.exe nothing happens. There also no Start Menu.


Any suggestions so I can see my icons on the desktop again would be
appreciated.

Thank you for looking.

 

[lenny]

start in safemode and run spybot, Adaware and your updated antivirus. It
sounds like you have some spyware or virus.

 

[Guest]

Lenny,
Thank you for the suggestion but the laptop OS was installed two days ago
(i know that stuff can invade a computer quickly) and had been online only
twice. The problem started after the user had four programs open and
accidentally pressed the power button which in turn shut off the machine. On
restart the icons would appear for a few seconds but then would disappear.


--
Cheers,
John

start in safemode and run spybot, Adaware and your updated antivirus. It
sounds like you have some spyware or virus.

 

[Rock]

When I start Windows XP Pro my icons on my desktop appear for a few seconds
then completely disappear. When I open the task manager I notice explorer.exe
is not running. In the task manager I go to File > New Task and enter
c:\windows\explorer.exe nothing happens. There also no Start Menu.


Any suggestions so I can see my icons on the desktop again would be
appreciated.

Thank you for looking.

Try running the edits from Kelly's site:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Line 72: Enable/Disable Desktop Icons

Line 195: Restore Desktop Icons and Taskbar

Line 289: Start Menu - Enable

Line 117: Restore Taskbar and Start Menu

See the top of the page for info on running the edits.