HELP

[mark]

I have started my computer after my roomate shut it down
while I was asleep. Now when I started it my desktop is
blank there is nothing but my background picture. I had
to push ctrl alt del to get access to my hard drive. How
do I restore my icons? and my original desktop?

 

[Chad Harris]

Mark--

Are you sure you're at your desktop--not being "cute?" Do you have a task
bar or a start button? Here are some steps to try--quickest first. None
are difficult and all have the instructions outlined below--I'm not sure
what you've used before.

If you're up at your desktop, why not try System Restore? Use a restore
point before this happened. You can get there 6 ways. If you don't have
a start menu there with what you see with your picture, try hitting the
Windows key+r and bringing up the run box. If you have a task bar, then
right click it and get a run box from task manager and put msconfig in your
run box. If you can't get anything off the desktop, then hit control +alt+
delete and restart. Tap F8 and select "Safe Mode." Then if Safe Mode comes
up you can use one of the routes below. If none of this works. restart and
tap F8 and try "Last Known Good Configuration." If LKG won't work, then try
a repair or in-place upgrade install of XP. The links are below the
reference links for System Restore:


1) putting msconfig in your run box and hitting "launch system restore"
2) putting restore in your run box and then clicking 3rd entry down
"restrui"
3) putting "helpctr" in your run box and then clicking system restore in
Help and Support when it comes up
4) right click your task bar>toolbars>address>type restore>click 3rd entry
down "restrui"--the activated address bar in the task bar will work as a run
box for *most* commands or entries.
5) Start>Programs>Accessories>System>System Restore
6) type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe at the command prompt


System Restore for Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/xpsysrst.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/systemrestore.mspx

A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=315222

*In Place/Upgrade Installation of Win XP*

Michael Stevens' Site: Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341

Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308041&Product=winxp

Doug Knox on Repair Install
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm

Screen Shots of Repair Install
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/index.htm

If these don't work, you can try a parallel install of Windows XP (See
Install Windows XP to a New Folder in this KB:

How to install or upgrade to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941&Product=winxp

hth and I hope you can hit SR from the look you're getting now back at your
picture,

Chad Harris
_____________________________________



I have started my computer after my roomate shut it down
while I was asleep. Now when I started it my desktop is
blank there is nothing but my background picture. I had
to push ctrl alt del to get access to my hard drive. How
do I restore my icons? and my original desktop?

 

[Guest]

When you hit ctrl + alt + delete and bring up the Task manager then click
file>new task and type in explorer.exe and then click the ok button and this
will start your desktop. {]:~)

 

[Chad Harris]

I think that's always worth very worth trying, but depending on the reason
for a freeze or a crash, there are times when trying to start a new instance
of the shell with explorer.exe doesn't get any response--sometimes with
"hung app errors". and othertimes with a variety of different errors that
can or may not show up in event viewer.

Chad Harris


When you hit ctrl + alt + delete and bring up the Task manager then click
file>new task and type in explorer.exe and then click the ok button and this
will start your desktop. {]:~)