Taskbar and icons are missing

[Donald]

The taskbar and icons are missing. The only function I
can execute is the taskmanager.

 

[Chris Lanier]

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

Install the fix, then reboot your computer.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Actually Chris, there's no need to reboot, generally. The script
automatically ends the Explorer.exe process, so the "defective" registry
settings don't get written back to the Registry. The affected values are
read from the Registry at logon, and are only written back at log off.
"Crashing" Explorer.exe, after removing the 'defective' values, bypasses the
log off process, and the values are read when the Explorer process starts
again. Rebooting won't hurt, but it isn't necessary.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Donald,

When you use the nodesktop.reg file, you still have to end process on
Explorer manually. The logoff function will just write the erroneous
information back to the registry, undoing what the REG file did. The script
on Kelly's site, makes the registry changes, then ends the Explorer process
automatically. Not to worry, it starts right back up, reads the correct
data from the Registry and your taskbar and desktop should be have normally.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/xp_taskbar_desktop_fixall.vbs

 

[Donald Brown]

Doug,

Thanks for the info, but Explorer was not running when I used nodesktop.reg.
In fact Explorer is only present
when I run in safe mode and I try to execute Explorer. If I click YES as I
mention before it will disappear.
I am not able to use Explorer, taskbar and icons.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Donald,

In addition to providing the "windows" to your hard drives and system,
Explorer is the Windows Shell. Any time you see the GUI, Explorer, in one
form or another is always running.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Donald,

Take a look at the following Registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

You're concerned with the Shell value in the right pane. It should read
"explorer.exe", without the quotes. Its not case specific either. If it
reads anything other that explorer.exe, double click the shell value and
change it. You may also want to See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Utilities,
Startup Programs Tracker. This small utility scans your system for startup
programs and running processes. It also allows you to create a log file
that can be copied and pasted into a newsgroup post. The contents of the
program window are also copied to the Windows Clipboard, automatically.