Win XP missing desktop!!!

[Guest]

I have a Sony Vaio laptop running Win XP Professional. All of a sudden I
don't have any desktop icons nor a start bar when I start up Windows. I do
have my desktop wallpaper though. I tried to start up in Sae mode but got the
same result.

I was able to get a look at the disk by using "new task/browse" from teh
Windows Task Manager window (alt/ctrl/del). My Documents seem to be there
and I can even open the word documents by double clicking on them.

I searched for the missing shlwap.dll file and find the C:\windows\I386
directory is empty, thus explaining the error message that it can't be found
when the system is starting up.

What can I do to repair/re-install windows? How can I save My Document
files to another system?

I'd sure appreciate any help!!! Thanks in advance.

 

[Guest]

seems like your computer is not loading explorer.exe on boot. sounds like you
might need to reinstall windows. (you could try to copy the missing file from
another computer, but the file might be computer specific, I don't know).

One way to copy your files would be by a network, if that is accessible.

Another way would be to move the disk to another working computer, and
access it as a secondary drive. (of course, since you have a laptop, this
method requires that you have an adapter to connect a 2,5" drive to a regular
3,5" IDE connection. you can buy one rather cheap at an electronics store).
This is the easiest method if the OS won't do what you want.

 

[David Candy]

There is no file called shlwap, there is a shlwapi (Shell Light Weight Application Programming Interface). Regardless i386 is not where it's kept but system32. It will not load it from any other directory. But why are you talking about it?

Type explorer in File Run

 

[Guest]

Bill:

I received the same error after getting a SP2 update, and I had to restart
my computer from the XP Resource CD and resolved the issue, which reinstalled
SP1.

My machine is running fine again, and I won't go back to SP2!!
__
Leprakawn

 

[Alias]

Bill:

I received the same error after getting a SP2 update, and I had to restart
my computer from the XP Resource CD and resolved the issue, which
reinstalled
SP1.

My machine is running fine again, and I won't go back to SP2!!
__
Leprakawn

SP 2 is essential for XP, especially if you go online. I would recommend
that you back up everything, do a clean install of XP followed by a clean up
in normal mode and a chkdsk/defrag in Safe Mode. Immediately after that,
install SP2 with the free CD from Microsoft. Do another clean
up/chkdsk/defrag and then install your programs doing a clean
up/chkdsk/defrag after each install and, finally, install your devices like
your printer, scanner, camera, etc. I've done this to over ten machines and
all of them are running like silk.

Alias

 

[Guest]

You know, that shows the brilliance of Microsoft programmers. We shouldn't
have to back everything up and then do all those tasks after installing SP2;
SP2 should be able to be simply installed and not cause any problems.

 

[Alias]

You know, that shows the brilliance of Microsoft programmers. We
shouldn't
have to back everything up and then do all those tasks after installing
SP2;
SP2 should be able to be simply installed and not cause any problems.

Guess what, it's not a perfect world. If you do it the way I outlined below,
it will work. When you are replacing 5 million lines of code, it isn't a
"simple install". BTW, blaming your ignorance and lack of ability on
Microsoft is something a lot of people do, but won't help you install SP 2
one bit.

Alias

 

[David Candy]

It shows the stupidity of you. It's your misadministration of XP that causes the problem. Funny enough MS don't test if SP2 works on virus infected machines as a virus infected machine is not a supported configuration.

 

[Guest]

David,

I mentioned shlwapi.dll because I get an error message at start up that it
cannot be found. Wenever I try and launch an application program through the
Windows Task Manager window (alt/ctrl/del) to help me get at my files and
save them I get a message saying that shlwapi.dll cannot be found.

I did look for it on my other computer that is working and found shlwapi.dll
in several locations, but when I looked at the computer that isn't working
the entire c:/windows/I386 folder is empty.

I guess my main question still is how can I save the files in My Documents
folder? Will a cross over ethernet cable work... can networking be initiated
on the "missing desktop computer"?

Can anyone help me?

 

[David Candy]

i386 is not part of windows. Put it in system32.

 

[kevin]

It shows the stupidity of you. It's your misadministration of XP that

causes the problem. Funny enough MS don't test if SP2 works on virus
infected machines as a virus infected machine is not a supported
configuration.

At some point Micro$oft will realize that the current version of
bloatware (XP) is garbage. No amount of patches, service packs,
updates or good luck charms are gonna keep this pig floating.

I cant wait for the NEXT version of windows......
(bill gates) everyone likes google can we steal it? no. then lets
make our own and incorporate it into the os.
(ms programmers) Lets throw 5 to 10 million lines of code at the
wall..... I hope some stick.

XP = Xtra Problems
XP = Xtra Profit

This corporate policy is what is causing Micro$ofts problems.
Your corporation cannot dictate evloution. And it has resulted in
revolution.

 

[Guest]

Bill:

Can you disconnect your bad drive (the one w/ the problem) and connect it as
a slave to your other drive? If so, you might be able to access your files
that way and transfer them to your other machine.

When I repaired XP from the CD, it didn't erase anything from My Docs folder.
__
Leprakawn

 

[Guest]

Bill:

Hey, just wanted to let you know you'll probably need to completely
re-install XP. I took my computer to CompUSA, and they installed SP2 along
with a few other things, and I got the same error a few days later after
getting an update.

I took my computer back to see why I couldn't access a few network
connections and why my Control Panel wasn't working properly. They found
which file was causing the problem, but they can't load a new one.

I hope your computer's doing okay!

 

[Guest]

Bill:

Hey, just wanted to let you know you'll probably need to completely
re-install XP. I took my computer to CompUSA, and they installed SP2 along
with a few other things, and I got the same error a few days later after
getting an update.

I took my computer back to see why I couldn't access a few network
connections and why my Control Panel wasn't working properly. They found
which file was causing the problem, but they can't load a new one.

I hope your computer's doing okay!

 

[Guest]

Hello,
I had the same thing happen to me, and I went to kellyskorner-xp and
installed a file called nodesktop and then my taskbar and desktop came back.
Good luck.