No desktop - just hangs with wallpaper

[Sean]

Happens every so often. No consistency to it. Boots up, I
see the wallpaper, then no icons.
If I bring up task manager, I see explorer.exe loaded.
If I try to run another instance, nothing happens.
If I end the one listed, then go ahead and run a new
instance the desktop finally shows up, minus some things
in the system tray.
Any ideas on what could be causing this?
Thanks.

 

[Jason Hall [MSFT]]

--------------------

Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
From: "Sean" <[email protected]>
Sender: "Sean" <[email protected]>
Subject: No desktop - just hangs with wallpaper
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 12:21:26 -0700

Happens every so often. No consistency to it. Boots up, I
see the wallpaper, then no icons.
If I bring up task manager, I see explorer.exe loaded.
If I try to run another instance, nothing happens.
If I end the one listed, then go ahead and run a new
instance the desktop finally shows up, minus some things
in the system tray.
Any ideas on what could be causing this?
Thanks.

--------------------

Well, it looks like there is something loading up that is interfering with
the normal operation of explorer.exe
Two things come to mind initially: Browser Extensions, and Shell Extensions
I know, you're thinking "Browser extensions!? This is Windows Explorer, not
Internet Explorer!"
Well, W.E. and I.E. have the same core .dlls, and oftentimes a problem with
W.E. can be resolved by working in I.E.

Browser Extensions:
To disable these:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Clear the checkbox for "Enable third-party browser extensions
(requires restart) found in Tools > Internet Options > Advanced
If this works, then you can proceed to delete the one(s) causing the
problem:
- Run Regedit
- Entries for browser extensions will be found in the below key.
Export and delete the suspect ones.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Extensions
Shell Extensions:
For information on shell extensions, where they are stored in the
registry, and how to control their loading see the following KB article
Q216384: "INFO: Approved Shell Extensions Only Enforced If
EnforceShellExtensionSecurity Key Is Turned On"
support.microsoft.com/?id=216384

You should also scan for spyware. Spyware that has loaded a browser
extension without you knowing may have also left other files/registry
values that you don't want

--
~~ JASON HALL ~~
~ Performance Support Specialist,
~ Microsoft Enterprise Platforms Support
~ This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
~ Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
~ Note: For the benefit of the community-at-large, all responses to this
message are best directed to the newsgroup/thread from which they
originated.

 

[Guest]

Thanks. I did run a regclean and Spyboy just before you
posted back earlier.
I tried what you mentioned, but it is still happening.
Happnes more often than not at this point. Safe boots
without a problem.
I looked in the reg and saw what is loading and things
look OK. A coupld of them I am questionable about as it
does not look familiar to me, But trying to nail them down.
So either I have to keep restarting until it goes in or
use task man and end explorer process and then restart.

 

[Jason Hall [MSFT]]

--------------------

Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
From: <[email protected]>
Sender: <[email protected]>
References: <[email protected]>

Subject: RE: No desktop - just hangs with wallpaper
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 13:30:36 -0700

Thanks. I did run a regclean and Spyboy just before you
posted back earlier.
I tried what you mentioned, but it is still happening.
Happnes more often than not at this point. Safe boots
without a problem.
I looked in the reg and saw what is loading and things
look OK. A coupld of them I am questionable about as it
does not look familiar to me, But trying to nail them down.
So either I have to keep restarting until it goes in or
use task man and end explorer process and then restart.

---------------------

The fact that it comes up in Safe Mode OK shows that it's SOMEthing
third-party that is interfering
- If it's not browser extensions or shell extensions, then it might be a
service or application that is starting
- Grab an MSConfig.exe from a Windows XP machine. Use it to disable
non-Microsoft services and startup items
- Or, you can just go into the run keys and remove startup apps there
(see You http://support.microsoft.com/?id=137367)



--
~~ JASON HALL ~~
~ Performance Support Specialist,
~ Microsoft Enterprise Platforms Support
~ This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
~ Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
~ Note: For the benefit of the community-at-large, all responses to this
message are best directed to the newsgroup/thread from which they
originated.