[thesolidsnake]

Yeah, I rebooted once and now my desktop icons, taskbar, and start menu are all missing. However, I can run any program with Task Manager.

I cannot right-click the desktop.
The "Taskbar and Start Menu" icon in the Control Panel will not open when I click on it.
The "window" key works in conjunction with other keys, but does not perform its standard task (opening the start menu) when pressed.

I have tried several other suggested methods, but I've had no success in the past twelve hours. I've asked my geekiest associates. Still nothing. Any useful advice would be extremely appreciated.

(By the way, I'm not very tech-savvy, so any dumbed-down useful advice will be even more appreciated)

Edited by thesolidsnake, 11 August 2005 - 02:40 PM.

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Well, solidsnake...I guess I will be the first to reply.
And I give 'simple' ideas because I myself, need easy instructions.

Are you sure it doesn't work to just right click on the desktop picture?
Did you try a couple times?

Next, I guess you need to be sure it isn't just HIDDEN.
I can 'grab' the bottom of my screen and pull it down to cover the entire
bottom row with start, etc, in it; it appears to be GONE.

So take your curser and try to get ahold of it (make the double pointed arrow
appear) and see if you can't pull up the screen to reveal the start menu......

Below is a more complicated answer that I found for you:

Here is the solution to the missing start button and desktop icons:

Restart system and press F8. - Reboot into MS-DOS (command prompt)
mode and type in Scanreg /fix , hit Enter. This works most of the time.
> Reboot normally, Start button should be back up.

[fflowergirl]

Well, solidsnake...I guess I will be the first to reply.
And I give 'simple' ideas because I myself, need easy instructions.

Are you sure it doesn't work to just right click on the desktop picture?
Did you try a couple times?

Next, I guess you need to be sure it isn't just HIDDEN.
I can 'grab' the bottom of my screen and pull it down to cover the entire
bottom row with start, etc, in it; it appears to be GONE.

So take your curser and try to get ahold of it (make the double pointed arrow
appear) and see if you can't pull up the screen to reveal the start menu......

Below is a more complicated answer that I found for you:

Here is the solution to the missing start button and desktop icons:

Restart system and press F8. - Reboot into MS-DOS (command prompt)
mode and type in Scanreg /fix , hit Enter. This works most of the time.
> Reboot normally, Start button should be back up.

[darth_ash]

First lets look for missing\corrupt dlls
Follow the steps below:
Start->Run. Type cmd. Press Enter.
In the Command-Prompt Window, type sfc /SCANONCE. Press Enter.
Follow the instructions by the System File Checker.
(Note:The scan will done on next reboot, so u will be prompted for a reboot.)

[fflowergirl]

Uh Oh Snake.
Don't use the solution I gave but instead use Darth's.

Mine would only work for Win98 or Win95 not in WinXP.

OOPS AND SORRY.
Janie

[thesolidsnake]

not working.

I'm sure your way would work on a normal computer, but mine is a freak that won't take anything I throw at it.

Thanks anyway for the effort, though. I appreciate it.

[darth_ash]

Lets see if this is being caused by malware.
Can u post a HijackThis Log.
Download link for HijackThis.

If u need instructions on using it, pls. refer: http://www.geekstogo...?showtopic=2852 (Goto STEP FIVE in there)