Member Avatar for jezza70

Hi, I am working on a clients machine, original problem was file ext association. I fixed this with driver updates and also ran a registry fix just in case. The files ext now work fine...but 12 hours later the machine boots to a blank desktop (existing desktop background is there) but the start bar and shortcuts etc are missing. The PC will start in safe mode...I have tried numerous restore points without luck.
The client tells me this has happend before, and usually stopped after an extended shut down (she is a little scetchy on details though). This is not the case now, it still wont boot after extended shutdown.
I am considering rolling back the drivers, but this may return the file ext association problems.
Other than that I am thinking maybe a repair/rebuild on the OS.

opinions please

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Bob_180_Bob

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Brief summary and practical next steps.

This symptom — wallpaper visible but no taskbar, icons or Start menu while Safe Mode works and System Restore doesn’t — usually means Explorer (the shell) is not starting cleanly or a user profile/third‑party startup item is interfering. reports file‑association fixes and a registry/repair utility later appeared to restore the desktop; had pointed toward a repair tool. That’s useful, but follow‑up checks will reduce the chance of recurrence.

Quick diagnostic checklist (in order):

  1. Confirm Explorer: press Ctrl+Alt+Del → Task Manager → File → New Task, run explorer.exe. If the shell returns, the problem is that Explorer isn’t being launched at logon.
  2. Check Winlogon entries (backup first): open regedit and inspect
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon — Shell should be explorer.exe and Userinit should be C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe, (note the trailing comma). Export the key before editing.
  3. Look for crashes/events: Event Viewer (Application/System logs) will show explorer.exe or shell-related errors and faulting modules.
  4. Isolate startup items: boot Safe Mode (or use msconfig) and disable non‑Microsoft services/startup. Use Sysinternals Autoruns to inspect shell extensions and autostart entries. Reboot normally and enable items in small groups to find the culprit.
  5. Profile test: create a new local user. If the desktop is normal there, the original profile is corrupt — copy Documents, Desktop and Favorites (do not copy NTUSER.DAT).
  6. Repair tools: run sfc /scannow (XP may prompt for the original CD), and perform full malware scans from Safe Mode with networking. If nothing else works, consider an in‑place Repair Install after a full backup.

Cautions: export/backup the registry and user data before edits or repair installs. Third‑party cleaners can mask symptoms; confirm root cause by checking Event Viewer and autoruns, then create an image/restore point once stable.

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Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

You are most welcome,

Bob

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