Hit CTRL-ALT-DELETE > File > New Task > explorer.exe
Explorer is, put simply, the user interface of Windows. (Start Bar, Icons, etc.) Once you restart, you should be fine.
Andrieux
Junior Poster in Training
61 posts since Jan 2009
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 4
I doubt it'll be fine. Always a chance but there has to be a cause for this event. If you search this forum on such as "No desktop", "No Icons", "Explorer.exe", this stuff has happened before and it isn't trivial to get back to normal. Have a read of the other posts then get back to us as to where you stand with what's already been considered here.
Suspishio
Posting Virtuoso
1,730 posts since Aug 2007
Reputation Points: 47
Solved Threads: 145
I just had this problem on my sons desktop. Hacktool.Rootkit virus was the culprit.
In safe mode run Malwarebytes . Hopefully you can download it and then update it. I have it on my system already. After you update it run it as full scan. Do whatever it tells you to. More than likey you will have to reboot to get rid of everything. It should boot up fine if this is the problem, it did for me. Run the scan again.
Leo G
Junior Poster in Training
66 posts since Jul 2005
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 1
Don't worry about being on Network in Safe Mode when you're working with Malware Bytes. You'll get cleaned up if you use the tool as per advice given ion the Spyware/Virus forums.
Also seartch this forum site for SmitFraud. It's well covered.
Suspishio
Posting Virtuoso
1,730 posts since Aug 2007
Reputation Points: 47
Solved Threads: 145
I wouldn't waste any more time on this after the current round of cleansing if not successful. If you can stream off your data files and check them later for infection, I'd wipe your disk using FDISK, full format and re-build your system. Once you can't Ctrl+Alt+Del you're degenerating faster than you can maintain progress.
Suspishio
Posting Virtuoso
1,730 posts since Aug 2007
Reputation Points: 47
Solved Threads: 145