Icons do not appear

[Lakshman]

I have a computer running Windows XP Pro that has a
problem whenever it boots up. Whenever I boot up the
computer, I can log on to it but the none of the desktop
icons or the startmenu appear. I can hit Ctrl+Alt+Del and
get to task manager, restart, log off etc. but I no matter
how many times I reboot the computer none of the icons or
the start menu appear.Any help or pointers in the right
direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lakshman.

 

[Curtis]

Have you tried right clicking on the desktop;
highlight "Arrange Icons By"; then make sure that "Show
Desktop Icons" is checked. That may restore your desktop
icons.

 

[Bee]

I have a computer running Windows XP Pro that has a
problem whenever it boots up. Whenever I boot up the
computer, I can log on to it but the none of the desktop
icons or the startmenu appear. I can hit Ctrl+Alt+Del and
get to task manager, restart, log off etc. but I no matter
how many times I reboot the computer none of the icons or
the start menu appear...

The no showing of Start Menu and/or Desktop Icons and/or Taskbar (
with/without its own Icons) is a common problem, from what I read. Beside
the solution as offered by Curtis, you might like to try other solutions in
one MVP Kelly Theriot's past post:

"Very problematic issue in XP. Workarounds in the meantime:

Control/Alt/Delete - When the Windows Task Manager dialog box appears, go
to Processes, find Explorer.exe highlight it and choose End Process.

Keep the task manager open then select the File menu and then New Task
(Run). When the Create New Task dialog box appears, type in Explorer and
press the OK button. Windows Explorer should restart complete with the
Taskbar and Start button.

If still nothing: Go back to the Task Manager/File/New Task and type in
msconfig. On the General Tab choose Expand File. Or type in CMD:
expand x:\i386\explorer.ex_ c:\windows\explorer.exe

Restore Desktop Icons and Taskbar (Line 195)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Hide All or Show All Desktop Icons (Line 172)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Restore the Taskbar to Default Functionality (Line 164)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q318027"