Member Avatar for DaniWeb4Jim

I have a client who came to me with:
"I lost my icons and start menu all I see is the backround image on my desktop".
Anyone have this problem?

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Short summary and a focused next-step plan that follows the thread: the symptom described (desktop only showing the wallpaper, Start menu/taskbar absent; Safe Mode not restoring the desktop) usually means the Windows shell never gets started or is being blocked/redirected. was right to suspect explorer.exe, and / have already done the sensible first checks (Safe Mode / repair). Before doing a full reinstall, try the targeted checks below. (learn.microsoft.com)

Check the Winlogon settings and the Image File Execution Options (IFEO)

  • Boot to Safe Mode with Command Prompt or the Recovery Console (so you can work without the GUI).
  • Export/backup the registry hive before changes.
  • Verify these registry values and restore them if altered:
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Shell   = explorer.exe
Userinit = C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe

If a subkey exists under
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe
(or iexplore.exe) that contains a Debugger value, delete that subkey — malware and some utilities use IFEO to prevent Explorer from launching. Back up before deleting. (learn.microsoft.com)

Repair disk and system files; scan for malware

  • From Recovery Console or Safe Mode run chkdsk /r on the Windows volume to rule out filesystem errors.
  • Run sfc /scannow (you may need the XP install media) to restore corrupted system files.
  • If Winlogon/IFEO were tampered with, perform a full offline malware scan (bootable rescue ISO or up-to-date AV from another machine). (learn.microsoft.com)

Notes and cautions

  • Always export the registry keys you edit and image the disk before doing a repair install.
  • If Winlogon values are missing or keep reverting after repair, treat the PC as likely compromised and proceed with offline remediation or a clean install after data backup. (learn.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for cguan_77

if he go safe mode still the same? if still the same.. plug out the hdd and scan through another pc.. or do windows installation and choose "repair" so it won't lost his data

Member Avatar for DaniWeb4Jim

if he go safe mode still the same? if still the same.. plug out the hdd and scan through another pc.. or do windows installation and choose "repair" so it won't lost his data

I did go to safe mode it is still the same. The screen is black in SAFE MODE and just the backround screen appears in normal Windows XP boot up.
Can't unplug the HDD it is a SCSI we only have Pcs with IDE and what is next?
Did do windows repair not the full installation but that maybe scheduled tomorrow. Any other thoughts?

Member Avatar for kodiak

Hmm, maybe somehow explorer.exe process will not start?

Member Avatar for DaniWeb4Jim

Hmm, maybe somehow explorer.exe process will not start?

I was looking and found that I should try the Task Manager then go to FILE> NEW TASK> then run Explorer. That is a thing for tomorrow.

Good night for now, thanks ever so much for any help.

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