No start menu or desktop icons :(

[Ryan]

Hey everyone,
I downloaded the trial version of OneCare last night and installed it on my
machine. It had my restart my computer and now after restarting it and
logging into the desktop, I have no start menu or desktop icons.
Also, the windows shortcut keys (windows key + R= run) do not work either. I
figured out a way to run programs still by using Ctrl+Alt+Delete and opening
a new task from there but I was wondering if maybe there is a way to fix it
so my desktop icons and start menu come back.
I don't mind restoring my computer but I don't really want to unless I know
for a fact it will fix the problem.
I have Windows XP Professional Edition, it's a PC I built myself so if
there's any other specs you need, just let me know.
Thanks!
Ryan

 

[nass]

Hey everyone,
I downloaded the trial version of OneCare last night and installed it on my
machine. It had my restart my computer and now after restarting it and
logging into the desktop, I have no start menu or desktop icons.
Also, the windows shortcut keys (windows key + R= run) do not work either. I
figured out a way to run programs still by using Ctrl+Alt+Delete and opening
a new task from there but I was wondering if maybe there is a way to fix it
so my desktop icons and start menu come back.
I don't mind restoring my computer but I don't really want to unless I know
for a fact it will fix the problem.
I have Windows XP Professional Edition, it's a PC I built myself so if
there's any other specs you need, just let me know.
Thanks!
Ryan

Try System Restore you will not lose any thing.
Then try these cleaning steps:
1... First, try to clean up your caches, Internet files and delete cookies
by doing this:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> Double click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options.
On the IE properties windows you will see these Tabs:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs |
Advanced
Under General Tab clear your History, Internet Files and Cookies.
Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
Then click on Programs Tab and click Manage Add-Ons and Disable all non
Verified Add-Ons (You should Renable them later one-by-one and see the
culprit and update it or remove it.
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/rr-update/rr-free-setup.exe
Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner (offline scanner) from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Run disk clean up on your Drive.
You can download this tool o run clean up:
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds/downloading-slim
HTH,
nass

 

[Galen]

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message.

In

Hey everyone,
I downloaded the trial version of OneCare last night and installed it on
my
machine. It had my restart my computer and now after restarting it and
logging into the desktop, I have no start menu or desktop icons.
Also, the windows shortcut keys (windows key + R= run) do not work either.
I
figured out a way to run programs still by using Ctrl+Alt+Delete and
opening
a new task from there but I was wondering if maybe there is a way to fix
it
so my desktop icons and start menu come back.
I don't mind restoring my computer but I don't really want to unless I
know
for a fact it will fix the problem.
I have Windows XP Professional Edition, it's a PC I built myself so if
there's any other specs you need, just let me know.
Thanks!
Ryan

In addition to the other advice see here:

Missing Icons and Taskbar:
http://kgiii.info/windows/XP/general/missing_desktop-icons_taskbar.html

--
Galen (Not Current MS-MVP)

My Geek Site: http://kgiii.info
Web Hosting: http://whathostingshould.be

"In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason
backwards. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a
very easy one, but people do not practise it much. In the every-day affairs
of life it is more useful to reason forwards, and so
the other comes to be neglected. There are fifty who can reason
synthetically for one who can reason analytically." - Sherlock
Holmes