Member Avatar for eltommyo

Hi, I got a compaq desktop computer from Best Buy and when we got it and turned it on it will not show the icons, start menu, or anything, but you can hear the computer running. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thank You in advance.
:(

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

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Missing desktop/Start-menu icons on a machine that appears to boot points to a small set of likely causes (corrupt user profile, a failed shell/desktop process, driver or startup-item conflict, or early system-file / disk errors). The original post does not state which Windows version is installed; that detail changes the exact recovery steps. offered a useful quick-process check, and correctly notes warranty/return as a reasonable option for a brand-new machine.

Recommended diagnostic sequence (in order of low risk → higher effort):

  • Boot to Safe Mode (use F8 during boot on NT/2000/XP-era systems). If the desktop and Start menu appear there, the problem is likely a driver or startup item; perform a clean boot with System Configuration (msconfig) and re-enable services/startup entries one group at a time to find the offender.

  • If Safe Mode does not help, try Last Known Good Configuration from the same F8 menu (recovers recent registry/startup settings).

  • Check system integrity and disk health from an elevated command prompt. Run:

    sfc /scannow
chkdsk c: /f /r

    Those commands repair protected system files and fix disk errors that can prevent the desktop shell from loading.

  • Examine the Event Viewer (Application and System logs) for repeated errors at boot — the event timestamps often point to the responsible service or driver.

  • Test with a fresh user profile: create a new local account and log in. A working desktop there indicates the original profile is corrupted and should be migrated (do not delete profiles until data is backed up).

Cautions and next steps: avoid registry editing unless comfortable and always back up user data first. Be cautious with third‑party “patch” downloads (as suggested by ): prefer built‑in tools, vendor diagnostics, or official Microsoft guidance. For a new, out‑of‑box machine that fails these basic checks, warranty/return through the retailer or OEM support is an appropriate option.

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Member Avatar for jaishankar

Hi, I got a compaq desktop computer from Best Buy and when we got it and turned it on it will not show the icons, start menu, or anything, but you can hear the computer running. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thank You in advance.
:(

Didn't u check it while buying.

Whats the Operating System

Member Avatar for just_a_nobody

Hi eltommyo, well, I am not sure this will help, but you might try it.

1. Boot up your computer

2. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to open Task Manager

3. In Task manager click the New Task button on the General tab, or the File tab

4. In the New Task dialogue box type: “explorer.exe (without the quotes) then press OK

Also, try this Rightclick desktop select arrange icons by, show desktop icons.

Member Avatar for DMR

Why should you try to fix the problem? You just got the computer from Best Buy, so you should return it to them. It's a warranty repair issue, and given that you're already having this problem, there could be other things wrong with the machine as well.

Member Avatar for mari<3

it doesnt do anything no matter what i press . plz help :(

Member Avatar for Biker920

it doesnt do anything no matter what i press . plz help :(

First start your own thread. Then list OS and events leading up to this problem and some one will be along to help you. Later---

Member Avatar for pcs365_4

eltommyo,

Pls try this: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

search for "117. Restore Taskbar and Start Menu" and click it. Then follow the self explanatory instructions to install the patch.

Hope this helps you.

Member Avatar for caperjack

eltommyo,

Pls try this:

search for "117. Restore Taskbar and Start Menu" and click it. Then follow the self explanatory instructions to install the patch.

Hope this helps you.

hi,you are replying to a postter who posted his problem 4 yrs ago and has never posted back ,you help is appreciated but please check post dates thanks

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
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