[RESOLVED] Desktop is GONE

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 10:48 AM

once i installed norton antivirus and restarted my computer, everything but my walpaper dissapeared. my taskbar, start button, and icons were all gone. i contacted norton support and they treated me like i was an idiot who just couldn't "find" the start button. then they told me it wasn't their problem and sent me to mirosoft, who wanted 60 bucks before i could even tell them my problem. i tryed to restart in safe mode but my computer refuses to do that [what up?]. i was able to open internet explorer through task manager [keyboard still works. windows button doesn't open start menu, though].
does anyone know what's going on?

princepack · 06-13-2007, 12:50 PM

What happens if you right click on the "desktop?" Can you select show icons?
Just the first suggestion...

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 01:39 PM

if i right click on the desktop, nothing happens

kinbard · 06-13-2007, 01:52 PM

Open task manager, click file, run, type explorer.exe

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 01:53 PM

And then what? where does that get me?

kinbard · 06-13-2007, 01:54 PM

I need you to answer that question. What happened? Anything show back up? If not, look for explorer.exe in the processes, kill it, then try what I asked again.

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 01:56 PM

actually, i just tryed that and it says it can't find it. the exact message was: "windows cannot find 'explorer.exe'. make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. to search for a file, click the start button, and then click search."
hmmmm...

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 01:58 PM

it's not in the processes. just checked.

UsernameX · 06-13-2007, 01:58 PM

When you type in explorer.exe under ---> File ---> Run in the task manager, it allows your desktop and icons to reappear (usually). If that doesnt work it sounds like nortan may be causing some series issues.

In that case after you have tried start explorer.exe, try running msconfig. Just go to ---> File ---> Run and type msconfig. This is going to bring up a window, then select the Startup tab at the top right. You will see a list that has been pulled up with lots of different programs in there. Scan through it and look for any nortan related programs and uncheck the box. Press ok and restart your computer and see where that leaves you.

kinbard · 06-13-2007, 02:00 PM

after you have done what usernamex states boot into safemode and do a system restore to before you installed norton.

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 02:08 PM

i've tried to run msconfig. it gives me the same error box as explorer.exe. and i've also tried to reboot in safe mode. my computer won't do it. it ignores to command.

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 02:09 PM

*the* not *to*

UsernameX · 06-13-2007, 02:12 PM

Just to make sure I conveyed this correctly make sure to type "msconfig" and not "msconfig."

But otherwise the only other thing that I can think of is: try putting your norton cd into your computer and boot to the cd. If I remember correctly I think it may give you the option to remove norton from your computer.

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 02:58 PM

yes you did get it thtough. i typed "msconfig"
i will try to re-boot the cd- i think i do remember that being an option now that you mention it.

kinbard · 06-13-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 403036387

i've tried to run msconfig. it gives me the same error box as explorer.exe. and i've also tried to reboot in safe mode. my computer won't do it. it ignores to command.

When you say it ignores the command, you mean pressing the f8 button when you boot back up?

403036387 · 06-13-2007, 03:24 PM

yes that's what i mean. it ignores F8. and i just completely uninstalled norton and my desktop is still gone.

kinbard · 06-13-2007, 03:27 PM

Do you have your xp disk? If so, boot from it and do a non-destructive system restore. It's too lengthy to explain, but this link tells you how:
http://www.informationweek.com/windo...leID=189400897

**simpswr** · 06-13-2007, 03:46 PM

The first thing I would do is run System File Checker . . click Start . . Run . . type cmd . . at the c:> type sfc /scannow (The space after sfc is important)

It will ask for your installation disc and likely restart.

If that does not do the trick . . Try a Repair Install:

This is a good guide to performing a repair install

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

**justpassingby** · 06-13-2007, 04:35 PM

+1 to simpswr's suggestions, provided you've got the XP CD.

06-13-2007, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	[RESOLVED] Desktop is GONE once i installed norton antivirus and restarted my computer, everything but my walpaper dissapeared. my taskbar, start button, and icons were all gone. i contacted norton support and they treated me like i was an idiot who just couldn't "find" the start button. then they told me it wasn't their problem and sent me to mirosoft, who wanted 60 bucks before i could even tell them my problem. i tryed to restart in safe mode but my computer refuses to do that [what up?]. i was able to open internet explorer through task manager [keyboard still works. windows button doesn't open start menu, though]. does anyone know what's going on?

06-13-2007, 12:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
princepack Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: Desktop is GONE What happens if you right click on the "desktop?" Can you select show icons? Just the first suggestion...

06-13-2007, 01:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE if i right click on the desktop, nothing happens

06-13-2007, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Desktop is GONE Open task manager, click file, run, type explorer.exe __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair

06-13-2007, 01:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE And then what? where does that get me? __________________ But What Does that have to do with FILMING A PLANT?

06-13-2007, 01:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Desktop is GONE I need you to answer that question. What happened? Anything show back up? If not, look for explorer.exe in the processes, kill it, then try what I asked again. __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair

06-13-2007, 01:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE actually, i just tryed that and it says it can't find it. the exact message was: "windows cannot find 'explorer.exe'. make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. to search for a file, click the start button, and then click search." hmmmm... __________________ But What Does that have to do with FILMING A PLANT?

06-13-2007, 01:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE it's not in the processes. just checked. __________________ But What Does that have to do with FILMING A PLANT?

06-13-2007, 01:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
UsernameX Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 69 OS: Windows XP Pro - SP2	Re: Desktop is GONE When you type in explorer.exe under ---> File ---> Run in the task manager, it allows your desktop and icons to reappear (usually). If that doesnt work it sounds like nortan may be causing some series issues. In that case after you have tried start explorer.exe, try running msconfig. Just go to ---> File ---> Run and type msconfig. This is going to bring up a window, then select the Startup tab at the top right. You will see a list that has been pulled up with lots of different programs in there. Scan through it and look for any nortan related programs and uncheck the box. Press ok and restart your computer and see where that leaves you.

06-13-2007, 02:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Desktop is GONE after you have done what usernamex states boot into safemode and do a system restore to before you installed norton. __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair

06-13-2007, 02:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE i've tried to run msconfig. it gives me the same error box as explorer.exe. and i've also tried to reboot in safe mode. my computer won't do it. it ignores to command. __________________ But What Does that have to do with FILMING A PLANT?

06-13-2007, 02:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE the not to __________________ But What Does that have to do with FILMING A PLANT?

06-13-2007, 02:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
UsernameX Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 69 OS: Windows XP Pro - SP2	Re: Desktop is GONE Just to make sure I conveyed this correctly make sure to type "msconfig" and not "msconfig." But otherwise the only other thing that I can think of is: try putting your norton cd into your computer and boot to the cd. If I remember correctly I think it may give you the option to remove norton from your computer.

06-13-2007, 02:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE yes you did get it thtough. i typed "msconfig" i will try to re-boot the cd- i think i do remember that being an option now that you mention it. __________________ But What Does that have to do with FILMING A PLANT?

06-13-2007, 03:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
403036387 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 22 OS: XP, 2000/NT, Mac, DOS	Re: Desktop is GONE yes that's what i mean. it ignores F8. and i just completely uninstalled norton and my desktop is still gone. __________________ But What Does that have to do with FILMING A PLANT?

06-13-2007, 04:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
justpassingby Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 4,793 OS: XP Home SP3 / Ubuntu My System	Re: Desktop is GONE +1 to simpswr's suggestions, provided you've got the XP CD. __________________ HJT - 5 steps against malware. Post your HijackThis log there and not here ! Posting system specs

06-13-2007, 03:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
kinbard Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,365 OS: Solaris 10, XP,SuSE10, 10.3,11, Freespire,PCLinuxOS, Vista HP, and a partridge in a pear tree	Re: Desktop is GONE Do you have your xp disk? If so, boot from it and do a non-destructive system restore. It's too lengthy to explain, but this link tells you how: http://www.informationweek.com/windo...leID=189400897 __________________ Half viking, half pirate, stronger than both 5 Steps XP Repair

06-13-2007, 03:46 PM	#18 (permalink)
simpswr Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 4,111 OS: XP, Vista	Re: Desktop is GONE The first thing I would do is run System File Checker . . click Start . . Run . . type *cmd* . . at the c:> type sfc /scannow (The space after sfc is important) It will ask for your installation disc and likely restart. If that does not do the trick . . Try a Repair Install: This is a good guide to performing a repair install http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BIOS \| BenchTest \| Spyware Cleaning \| How to Post a Screen shot \| PC running slow