my desktop is showing folders

[Guest]

help, my dektop is showing folders. It happened after I changed my
screensaver. I also am unable to open my taskbar or folder options under
diplay. I have run ad-ware and virus scans and cannot find anything.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Try using System Restore to take your system back to a time prior to when
this was an issue; Start\All Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System
Restore.

 

[Guest]

tried that at several points, it will not restore. says "no changes have been
made to your computer" went back over a month before problem.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

When you say your desktop is showing folders, what folders does it show?

With regard to other issues:
The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:

Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

 

[Guest]

it looks like when you open a program. On the left 3" of the screen it's all
blue and has Folder Tasks (which expands to make folders, share
folders),Other Places (which you can expand to my documents, shared documents
and my network places)the Details (which expands to desktop). It is very
strange. Like I said, I cannot open my taskbar or folder options under my
display and everytime I start my computer my volume control is no longer in
my takbar. I put it in there everytime. That's why I thought it had to due
with my display.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Are these folders that represent things you have installed and wish to keep
or these folders things you do not recognized, what are the folder's named?
Sometimes, you can download something and when you attempt to open it, it
places folders on your desktop. If that's the case here, you might simply
delete the folders, open Explorer, open the desktop folder under Documents
and Settings under your user name. You will be able to see if these are
actually folders or just shortcuts.

If shortcuts, you can just delete them, if the folders aren't from something
you've installed you can delete them but if these folders are for things you
know you have installed, you need to see if these are shortcuts or the
actual folder. I can't answer your question fully because I don't know what
the folders are, what's in them if anything at all or if they are shortcuts.

As to the other problems you mentioned, I gave you steps to try to correct
the issues in my previous post.

 

[Guest]

they aren't things I have downloaded. if you opened my computer from the
start menu you see the left side of the screen with system tasks, other
places and details, that is what is on my desktop! but instead of system
tasks it is folder tasks. The only differece is I don't have the header at
the top. Also, I only have the restore XP CD since it came on my computer,
so I can't do the repair either.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

What you describe is called the task pane. Go to the following website,
scroll to line 15, click "Remove Common Tasks from the Desktop," in the left
column.

Let's see if this resolves the other issues as well.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

I apologize, I forgot to give you the link:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[Guest]

ty,ty,ty. it worked, the folders are gone and it also resolved the other
issues. thank you very much, it was driving me crazy.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

You're welcome, Cindy, take care.