Member Avatar for mdmeyer4u

I'm having trouble with my start up I keep getting an error message and my desktop wont display my start menu or toolbars.....

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: When XP boots to a blank desktop with no taskbar/Start menu, Explorer usually did not launch or was replaced by malware. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. File -> New Task -> type explorer.exe. If it errors, note the exact text. Then verify the shell entries (Task Manager -> New Task -> cmd):

reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v Shell
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v Userinit
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v Shell /t REG_SZ /d explorer.exe /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v Userinit /t REG_SZ /d C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe, /f

Reboot. If Explorer still fails, run sfc /scannow (may ask for your XP CD) or rstrui.exe to roll back to a restore point. Also open eventvwr.msc and check Application errors around explorer.exe or shell extensions. Safe Mode can help isolate third-party add-ons.

: After a virus, the Display control often gets hidden via policy keys. Restore your missing Desktop, Screen Saver, and Settings tabs by deleting these values (ignore "not found" if they are not present):

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispBackgroundPage /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispScrSavPage /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispSettingsPage /f

Log off/on. If they return then disappear again, repeat in Safe Mode and also remove the same values under:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System. On XP Pro you can use gpedit.msc: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Control Panel -> Display, set the "Hide ... tab" policies to Not Configured.

Back up the registry before changes. And as hinted, write down the exact error text; it is key to pinpointing the cause. After fixes, run a fresh malware scan to be safe.

Member Avatar for shadowkitten

The problem i'm having with my desktop properties is that i'm missing the desktop display, screensaver, and settings tab...i had a virus if that info helps, but i got rid of it. How do i get it back?

Member Avatar for jatiputra


what is the error message ? you can try to search the solution in google using the error message as a keyword

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