START MENU Blank

[Poltonis]

Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Updates and Patches current).
Computer knowledge: User (Medium)

Clicking on the START MENU, the space were program shortcuts are suppossed
to be is blank.
ALL PROGRAMS and sub-menus are accessible though.
Dragging shortcuts to this space produces a "no entry" sign.
Enable Drag & Drop is ticked.

Right Clicking Properties/Customize/Programs/Number of Programs on Start
Menu: 10
Below this Show on Start Menu: Internet Explorer and E-Mail are selected but
on confirming OK and exiting, the check-boxes revert to blanks.

I have tried chkdsk /f and various System Restore points but without success.
Also serched through many posts with the heading Start Menu in Newsgroups
but have not encountered a similar instance.
I have Power Toys Tweak UI installed and checked all relevant tweaks.
If the Start Menu is corrupt, I need some help here.
Thanks for any input.
------------------------

 

[Rey Santos]

If the blank space you say is actually black and you have Logitech QuickCam
that could be it. When it happened to me I uninstalled Logitech Camera
software via Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel and retained the
Logitech Camera Driver, it solved the problem. If it does not solve the
problem try to uninstall the driver too and just reinstall as you might need
it.

 

[Elmo]

Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2 (Updates and Patches current).
Computer knowledge: User (Medium)

Clicking on the START MENU, the space were program shortcuts are suppoSed
to be is blank.
ALL PROGRAMS and sub-menus are accessible though.
Dragging shortcuts to this space produces a "no entry" sign.
Enable Drag & Drop is ticked.

Right Clicking Properties/Customize/Programs/Number of Programs on Start
Menu: 10
Below this Show on Start Menu: Internet Explorer and E-Mail are selected but
on confirming OK and exiting, the check-boxes revert to blanks.

Maybe one of these:

Line 117. Restore Taskbar and Start Menu
Line 167. Force Classic Start Menu - Undo
Line 169. (r-h column) Enable or Disable Pinned Items on the Start Menu
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[Poltonis]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. No I haven't any webcam installed and
the space is white not black.

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

 

[Poltonis]

Thanks for the link: I will try it out first opportunity and report back with
outcome
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[Poltonis]

Hi - have tried them all and continued search in page for Start Menu, but
nothing restored it back.

 

[Rey Santos]

See if this would help:
In the registry navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explor
er
in the right pane look for
NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList
NoStartMenuPinnedList
if they have avalue of 0x00000001 change it to 0x00000000 by double clicking
on the name and entering 0 on the Value data, then restart. If this does not
solve the problem there may be other entries pertaining to start menu, do the
same.

NoStartMenuMFUprogramsList - Remove Frequently Accessed Programs List from
Start Menu

NoStartMenuPinnedList - Remove Pinned Programs List from the Start Menu

 

[Poltonis]

That did it Rey! It's back: thanks for your time and input.

 

[Rey Santos]

Your wlecome, thanks for getting back at us.