Re: Desktop with no icons or start menu

IIRC in the past CDilla would be installed along with TurboTax and was reported to be spyware although Inuit claimed it was used for copy protection. After much public outcry Intuit offered an uninstaller for it on their site. It makes one winder if they're back into their old tricks if your son had recently installed TT, and if not, possibly anther application that installs it. If he hasn't done either it was installed along with some application he previously installed. A search on the web for cdilla will get you any info you need on it and how to remove it. I might have info on it and will have to check and get back to you on that.

Seeing that you mention being able to use Task Manager, under the Applications tab click the "New Tasks" button and see if you can start a new instance of Explorer. Also if you can get to msconfig, under the "Services" tab uncheck anything not MS related and see if that helps boot to Windows properly. If it does you'll need to systematically figure out which unchecked item is the cause of the issue by rechecking them either one at a time or in bundles until the issue arises again. Also have a look at:

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/en-us

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434/en-us

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/en-us



--


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:12D1C3FC-357D-4CD8-AD45-D9FDE123B59C@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
LOL! No Geek Squad? I thought they were good. My bad.

I already opened the case yesterday when the mouse wouldn't work and made
sure everything was tight and in order. So that's not going to help.

I cannot get into safe mode, even with command prompt. If I choose
administrator, it goes into a DOS screen and freezes. If I choose my son's
account, it opens up a box for his password and freezes then.

I am at a loss. With no way to restore the system, I don't know what else
to do. Plus, you would think after reinstalling Windows to repair it today
and even that didn't work, this machine is messed up.

Any other ideas? I'd be open to any suggestions at this point. I feel so
bad for him. Guess he should never have pulled that plug.

By the way, I did run Spybot S&D on it while I had it in regular mode today
via the Task Manager and it found three culprits, two of which it fixed and
one it couldn't, some CDilla. Other than that...

Thanks,
Lori

"Brian A." wrote:

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/

--


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.
>> > >>



.