[jharris]

Hi, first i have to say I know basically nothing about computers. Ihave a laptop, that will load up windows xp. I sign in and it goes to my background pic and I can use the mouse but there is absolutely nothing else on the screen. I tried ctrl+alt+del but it is locked by an administrator. I clicked the show desktop button on my keyboard and nothing happens???? please help

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Try pressing WINDOWSLOGO + R on the keyboard. (windows logo is in between CTRL and ALT on the left side)

This should bring up the run window. Type in "explorer" and hit OK. Tell me if that works.

Edited by xBPM07x, 26 January 2009 - 09:33 PM.

[xBPM07x]

Try pressing WINDOWSLOGO + R on the keyboard. (windows logo is in between CTRL and ALT on the left side)

This should bring up the run window. Type in "explorer" and hit OK. Tell me if that works.

Edited by xBPM07x, 26 January 2009 - 09:33 PM.

[jharris]

nothing. the windows logo is the button next to the ctrl key right? i pressed it and nothing
Even if i right click my mouse i cant even get into my desktop properties.

[xBPM07x]

Yes, on the left side of the keyboard it is between the CTRL key and the ALT key, to the left of the space bar. Hold that down and also press R on your keyboard, did you do that? Not just hold the logo (just making sure).

[jharris]

yes i held it down and press R nothing happened

[xBPM07x]

Ah ok, just making sure. Here is what I think you should do:

1. Restart the computer
2. Repeatedly press F8 on your keyboard until you are prompted to boot into safe mode
3. There should be an Administrator account available, log in to that
4. If it is still doing it, report back here, if not continue
5. Click Start, Control Panel, User Accounts
6. Find your user name for your real account
7. Click "Change the account type" label
8. Set it to "Computer administrator"
9. Reboot normally and see if you can now hit ALT+CTRL+DEL, and if so continue
10. Now click File > New Task (Run...), and type in "explorer" and press OK
11. Report back

[jharris]

Its letting me enter in administrator in safe mode. but it is asking if i want to use system restore or to proceed in safe mode which do i do?

[xBPM07x]

Proceed to safe mode.

[jharris]

its saying that i am the computer administrator on the account without me changing anything keep going to reboot?

[xBPM07x]

Your old account is already an administrator? If so, then do this (If your old account is not administrator, make it then do the below):

1. Click Start
2. Click "Run..."
3. Type in "regedit" and press OK
4. Now navigate yourself to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
5. Look for the string called "Shell", and make sure the value is "Explorer.exe"
6. Report back

[jharris]

I get as far as WINLOGON then there are 4 more folders 1...credentials...2..GPExtentions...3..Notify...4..Special accounts

[xBPM07x]

Yes, that is the last folder you need. Click on the WINLOGON folder and to the right values will appear.

[jharris]

yeah it says explorer.exe

[xBPM07x]

Ok, click here to download a registry file. It will modify your registry and will save you time, it it much faster than doing it manually. Run it and report back please.

Edited by xBPM07x, 26 January 2009 - 10:10 PM.

[jharris]

im on a different computer talking to you