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Join Date: Aug 2005
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Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #1  
Aug 28th, 2005
Hello all,
I am new here, so please be gentle if I am posting in the wrong forum. I have Win XP PRO SP2. Almost a week ago, my desktop icons and taskbar disappeared upon booting. I was able to get them back by using control alt delete and running explorer.exe. Today, the same thing happened again upon booting. This time, however, explorer will not run. It appears for about a second in the running processes and then disappears. I have run three different virus/trojan/worm scans with different programs. Nothing was found. I ran Adaware and deleted any spyware. I have spent the whole day today googling for a fix, but my mind has just melted and can't seem to figure out what to do next. Help me, I'm drowning,
Thanks,
Very frustrated Caron
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #2  
Aug 29th, 2005
Hello there,

This is actually quite simple to fix if you have system restore activated. What has likely happened is that a key in your registry is corrupt. Anyways, here are the steps to fix it.

1. Reboot your computer, and tap the F8 Key while booting to bring up the boot up menu.
2. From the menu, select "Safe mode with command prompt".
3. Now type \Windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe into the command prompt.

This will allow you to revert back to sometime when your computer was working fine before.

Once you revert back and get things back to your current settings (best of your ability), I would consider manually creating another system restore (although xp regularily does it automatically, I would feel much safer doing it myself after taking the time to update my settings back to how I want them).

You can go about this by going into the start menu, then programs, then accessories, then system tools, and then into system restore. From there you can create it yourself.

I hope this helps you out. If you didn't have system restore activated you could always try to repair windows using the windows disk, or ultimately reformatting which would take approximately 95 minutes and then additional time to update xp from windows.com. The only down side is losing all of your stuff. I always like to keep backups, and am very glad to have a second hdd installed.

Regards,
-Emily
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #3  
Aug 29th, 2005
Originally Posted by emkie
Hello there,

This is actually quite simple to fix if you have system restore activated. What has likely happened is that a key in your registry is corrupt. Anyways, here are the steps to fix it.

This will allow you to revert back to sometime when your computer was working fine before.


Regards,
-Emily


Thanks for your reply. I did try a system restore yesterday, but it didn't work. Thanks for trying.

An update: This morning, I was able to get explorer to run using the task manager. Very strange. It brought the desktop and taskbar back. However, the usual start up items are not there. I'm afraid to re-boot since I will probably lose my desktop again.
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #4  
Aug 29th, 2005
if your isp(internet service provider) is sbc global.net,boot to safe mode,and if icons are there>start>run>msconfig>put check beside selective startup on general page>click on startup tab>uncheck ipmon32>apply>close>restart>done
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #5  
Aug 30th, 2005
Thanks, but that's not it either. I do appreciate the effort.
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #6  
Aug 30th, 2005
Create a new account and log in with it instead of your usual account...if you no longer have the problem then you know it's an issue with your user profile and you can google how to back it up and then recreate it or ask for help here!

Creating a user account: http://support.microsoft.com/default...279783&sd=tech

good luck!
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #7  
Sep 1st, 2005
Thanks, I think I am going to back up and re-install this weekend. Thanks to all who tried to help.
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #8  
May 16th, 2007
Dear All,

I had the same exact problem, I already using:
Taskbar Repair Plus (patched full)>>>not solved
fsecure Shellfix.reg file>>>not solved
reinstall my Windows XP Pro>>>not solved

I'm thingking to sold my Laptop, and buy another new one.
But before I did that, pleaseeeee anyone's help.

Tons of thanks
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #9  
Jun 11th, 2008
I had a same problem with caron, i have just followed the instruction post by emily, and its work.. A bunch of thank to emily.. I am just thinking to format my laptop before i read your post..Its save my day... thanks a lots
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Re: Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar

  #10  
Jun 11th, 2008
I posted a solution for this here. http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread123561.html

This worked for me, it should also work for you. Bye
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