No taskbar, no desktop icons.

So, I'm just sitting there happily browsing various amusing websites when *poof*, the computer restarts itself. Annoyed but not devestated, I wait patiently for it to reboot. When it does so, however, I am shocked and amazed to discover that when I log into my username I have no taskbar and no desktop icons! My wallpaper is as it was before, however, and all my files are intact. I can access my programs and files using CTRL+Alt+Del and doing the "run new process" thingy. If there is anyone here who knows how to get my beloved taskbar and desktop stuff back, I would be endebted for life. As it is, the computer is useable but thoroughly inconvenient.

Thank you very much.

Leah

 

If this just happened recently I'd give system restore a try. Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools.

 

Just tried that. All I get when I try to open the restore thing is a blank white window.

 

Hello Chief,

To expand a bit on Zander's reply, when you bring up SR, it presents you with a calendar. The bold dates are the dates either you or the system created a restore point. Click on a date in bold prior to the problem and then click on "restore my computer to an earlier time ".

Regards - Charles

 

I've tried to get the SR up, but it doesn't work. When I try to run it, it just pops up as a blank white window.

 

I feel kinda dumb here. I posted the path to it and never thought about the fact that you didn't have the taskbar. Sorry. Perhaps it helped you find it in windows explorer though. Not really sure what to tell you except you could try to repair XP but I'd wait for that and see if I or somebody else can come up with something else here.

 

Hi Chief,

I don't know what the system's response is if SR is not enabled, I've always had it running.

In the System section of the Control Panel > System Restore tab > under available drives, what does it say?

EDIT: You have the start menu, right?

Regards - Charles

 

Zander - no problem, I found the proper file through the "run new task" part of the c+a+d window, but it still didn't work. And windows explorer doesn't work, either. I tried to run that, too, but nothing at all happened, not even a pretty blank white window.

Charles - I can't find the control panel anywhere.

 

To access the system applet in the control panel try typing sysdm.cpl in the run new task box.

 

Reboot - pull the plug if you have to and try to come up in safe mode - hit the F8 key. There is an option to go back to the last known working configuration, try that. I would also run your AV scanner in safe mode.

Or if you don't want to shut down now, run an AV scan now if you can.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks! Okay, in the System Restore box it has a little box, unchecked, that says "Turn off system restore." So I assume that it's turned on. Disk space usage is set to 12% (3430 MB), and status is (C Monitoring.

 

At this point, I would look at the strong possibilty that you picked up something nasty in the form of malware: virus/trojan which is why I suugested an AV scan. So try the AV scan before the reboot attempt. Below are online scanners:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

 

I just rebooted my computer into safe mode. Didn't change anything. I'm currently on the Panda scanner site. Perhaps that'll enlighten me.

 

Okay. Since the download is taking ages and it's rather late (by my standards, at least), I'm going to call it a night and try to fix this thing or at least figure it out tomorrow. Thank you both so much for your help!

 

Chief,

What happened?

Regards - Charles

 

Even with no taskbar (thus no start button) you should be able to get it by pressing the WinKey, if you have one. Control/Escape should also get you back your start button. Scanning for spyware and malware is a good place to start. After you are sure things are clean, System Restore should put it all back, if you can get to it.

One of the first things I do when I set up an new system is:
Turn off auto restart
Control Panel/System/Advanced/Startup and recovery
uncheck auto restart to prevent an endless loop of boots when you are having trouble.

It is checked by default, and can cause more problems than it is worth.

 

Sorry for not responding for a few days. The computer I was having the troubles with went kaput (couldn't do even what I was doing before, when I started this thread). I've gotten out my old computer and am using that now. What to do with the busted one I don't know. Perhaps I'll let my brother use it for target practice. Blasted thing. Anyway, thank you all for trying to help me out. I really appreciate it.

 

Hi Chief,

Not suprised, I was thinking at the time as I was reading your last post about shutting down because it was late, "he may never come back up ".

My sympathies - Charles