Task bar and desktop icons not apearing at boot up

[Julian Diamandis 926992]

My task bar and desktop icons not apearing at boot up, it's getting a little frustrating. Funnily enough I am managing to use the programs ok though the task manager.

 

I also tried to do a system restore, which I managed to open and select a earlier state, but after the reboot, there is no dialogue prompting me to restore, (ie it is just desktop screen)?

 

I have tried a couple of things which other people have suggested, such as shelffix.reg, as well as hotfixes, which have done nothing to improve the situation. The problem occurs on all user profiles.

 

If you have any ideas, I would appreciate it.

 

I use Windows XP service pack 2, and this is a Dell XPS

 

 

Jools

[Brian Fuller 973577]

Haven't really seen this issue, but have you thought about a reinstall or repair of the OS?

[Julian Diamandis 926992]

Haven't really seen this issue, but have you thought about a reinstall or repair of the OS?

 

I am considering a re-install but would like to look at any fixes before committing to this.

[Thomas Mathieu 998318]

Just for info purposes, was there anything you did such as an update or install that might have did this to your desktop?

[Brian Fuller 973577]

You can always try a Repair instead of a Re-install.

[Larry James 901346]

Since you say this happens from all profiles and all fixes, have you considered checking your video/monitor size setting? Is it possible that it's hidden and resizing the video for the screen size might reveal it?

 

-- L. James

 

--

L. D. James

[email protected]

www.apollo3.com/~ljames

[Julian Diamandis 926992]

Just for info purposes, was there anything you did such as an update or install that might have did this to your desktop?

 

I think there was a windows update prior to this happening, I will look at the windows updates and see if I can undo the latest one.

 

 

 

Since you say this happens from all profiles and all fixes, have you considered checking your video/monitor size setting? Is it possible that it's hidden and resizing the video for the screen size might reveal it? 

 

Yes I have tried this, all size have the same result.

 

 

You can always try a Repair instead of a Re-install.

 

I have a Dell Re-Instillation disk Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2. However I am worried that I might loss the programs that are on the same drive. Is there a way of just updating the fundamentals? I have my work and data on a different drive. What are the options on the re-install options? Is there an option to repair?

 

 

 

Also I have done a virus scan, which is negative.

Edited December 13, 2008 at 10:42 PM by Guest

[Matthew Iselin 1061577]

Using task manager, run "explorer.exe" and see what happens.

 

Of course, that is a temporary fix and more like covering up a bigger problem. If you do use that disc, you'll lose everything (you could grab an external hard disk - not expensive these days - and throw all your important data onto it such as pictures, docomeents, etc...).

[Julian Diamandis 926992]

I'm having to run explorer.exe it from the task manager, it works, but no task bar or desktop.

[Joseph Jaster 932528]

I'm having to run explorer.exe it from the task manager, it works, but no task bar or desktop.

 

Try going into the Processes tab of the Task Manager and selecting Explorer.exe (if its there) then hitting End Process, then OK. If there is more than one Explorer.exe running end all of them, then restart it as Matthew said.

 

Also, if possible right-click on the desktop and go to Arrange Icons By>Show Desktop Icons

If there is a checkmark beside Show Desktop Icons don't click it, otherwise click it and see if your icons reappear. This one confused me for a few days last week

If that works, your taskbar is probably hidden too, but I don't know how to get it back if its completely gone..

 

 

Does Safe Mode work? If not, some Windows files (possibly Explorer) may have been corrupted, if so you may have to use the recovery disc.

 

 

If you do use the Re-installation disc, see if there is a basic recovery option, i.e. not a Full Recovery. If the option exists, use it first as it will only repair your installation of Windows (repair corrupted files, replace old ones etc.) and not erase any personal files or installed programs. The Full Recovery will, however, completely erase the hard drive and start you with a fresh installation of Windows, a really scary thought if you have a lot of addons installed...

[Julian Diamandis 926992]

I tried to do a recover install, which took about 40 minuets but it didn't fix the missing icons or task bar. To make things worse, the task manager wasn't appearing at all, so I was in a real pickle.

 

I thought I would do a full re-install, and that is what I have done. I hope this will clear things out a bit, and I can start afresh with installing FS9. Hopefully I can get back onto Vatsim soon.

 

 

Thanks for all your help.

[Brian Fuller 973577]

Well hopefully you were due for a re-install anyways