Re: Desktop with no icons or start menu

I agree, and just booting to plain Safe Mode might log him on in the default "Administrator" account. This would let him create a new user and copy the old user data to the new profile.

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Mark L. Ferguson
..

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message news:OQ0dtrhhIHA.5204@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lord No, DON'T let the Geek Squash or any other like them anywhere near the machine, find a reputable repair shop in your area.

Aside from that, a damaged component could be a likely cause due to him pulling the plug while it was running, yet let's check another thing or two first.

During the move it's possible a connection came loose. With the machine off and the power cord unplugged, open the case up and check inside to make sure all of the power/data connectors, adapters/cards and memory modules are firmly and securely seated.

If they all appear to be in proper order, can you boot to "Safe Mode w/Command Prompt? If yes try:

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449/

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Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Windows Desktop User Experience }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


"Lori" <Lori@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:C1F37A94-6730-4F41-9B59-573F8500CD77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well, Mark, no luck. Five hours later, the same thing only now the desktop
has a box that never loads that says "Personal Settings" in it. I have tried
everything I could from the Task Manager, no luck. Whenever I try to use the
"My Computer" option, it freezes. If I go to msconfig, and then choose the
"System Restore," the hourglass moves and it never comes up. It's just not
working.

Everything is still in the computer, files and all, but you cannot access
any icons or a start menu and it takes literally about 8 minutes boot up onto
an empty wallpapered desktop.

I am out of suggestions, except telling him to call The Geed Squad. Mom has
had it! Wish there was something else left to try. I did the chkdsk/r and
the boot to recovery disk and then enter, which took a long time, both of
them, and just not luck.

Thanks for trying.

"Lori" wrote:

Mark,
Thanks again for your really fast reply. My son will be home this afternoon
and I will go give this a shot on his computer. I will keep you posted.
Have a great day!

"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:

> Yes, Dell Recovery CD's are complete XP setup disks. You will get > recovery
> Console, and a/or Repair setup, as needed.
>
> -- > Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> .
>
> "Lori" <Lori@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:2669C9CA-1C43-451D-891B-8774D3195071@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Thank you, Mark, for the quick reply. I just want to confirm, you > > are
> > saying
> > to do this from the Dell Recovery CD? I can only figure that's what
> > you're
> > referring to. Don't want to take anything for granted, though. I
> > appreciate
> > your help.
> >
> > Lori
> >
> > "Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
> >
> >> Best guess is some simple hard drive damage due to the moving > >> around. I
> >> would run chkdsk.
> >>
> >> Boot to setup CD, press 'r' for repair.
> >> At that prompt, enter:
> >> CHKDSK /R
> >>
> >> It's likely this will fix it, but if not, you reboot to CD and this > >> time
> >> press ENTER to start setup. It will find the installed system, and > >> offer
> >> to
> >> 'Repair' it.
> >>
> >> -- > >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the > >> web
> >> interface.
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPostAsAnswer
> >> Mark L. Ferguson
> >> .
> >>
> >> "Lori" <Lori@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >> news:4A41EFC1-0BF8-4DA4-8ABC-8BA805AAEAB3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> > We moved my son last weekend and when we plugged in and set up > >> > his
> >> > computer,
> >> > it boots at a snail's pace and only goes as far as the desktop > >> > page
> >> > with
> >> > no
> >> > icons, no ability to access the start menu, virtually unusable. > >> > When
> >> > he
> >> > disassembled it, he admitted to just unplugging it rather than > >> > turning
> >> > it
> >> > off
> >> > properly.
> >> >
> >> > How can I fix this, if possible? I can't even get into safe mode
> >> > without
> >> > it
> >> > freezing. I do have a recovery XP disc (Dell), so should I try > >> > that by
> >> > putting the boot sequence into the CD drive first? I feel so > >> > sorry for
> >> > him
> >> > as he really needs his computer. It is an older Dell, but was > >> > working
> >> > before
> >> > the move.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks for any help anyone can offer.
> >>

.