Re: Desktop with no icons or start menu

I want to address both db's and Brian's suggestions. You both seem to be in
agreement that since we can access the Task Manager, to kill the currently
running explorer.exe and then start a new one. Why? I'm just curious. I
mean, I'll try anything at this point, but I don't understand the logic
behind it. I'm curious.

Also, I cannot log into safe mode in Admin. or user-specific. It just
freezes afterwards. So anything in safe mode, unfortunately, is out of the
question.

Now, if I go to Services under the Task Manager, what precisely do I need to
keep running? And once I do that, are you saying if I kill the right
service, the icons will appear?

I have to say, this logging into the dekstop, even without icons, takes a
good eight minutes or so. Everything is so tedious trying to troubleshoot
when it takes forever to do something simple.

I also tried to, in msconfig, set it to just start up with diagnostic files
loaded and it won't accept it. It will never apply it.

This is really upsetting because you can see every file he still has in his
hard drive but you can't get anything to work.

"Brian A." wrote:

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.

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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.

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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.





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