[JohnthePilot]

Hi,
I hope someone has a quick answer for this.
I'm using a friend's computer and his desktop is missing. The background is there, but nothing else. I can run applications by going into Task Manager, but it's real PITA.
His system is a Fujitsu Siemens D1192 with an Intel Pentium 4 1300MHz processor and 128 MB RAM. He is running XP Pro, but doesn't have the installation disc so I can't run sfc /scannow. The copy is legit cos I've just run the validation check on it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in anticipation.
Pilot.

 

[carsey]

check show icons are there.

Right-click; arrange icons by: Then make sure Show icons is selected. (should have a tick)

 

[JohnthePilot]

Hi Chris,

check show icons are there.

Right-click; arrange icons by: Then make sure Show icons is selected. (should have a tick)

I've tried that, but nothing happens on the background picture. The desktop just isn't there.

 

[Joefireline]

Do you mean there is no taskbar?
If so, go into task manager, click on 'Applications' tab, then 'New Task', type 'explorer.exe'.

Create new shortcuts to the programs (Right click the desktop, new, shortcut).

Try running check disc (Windows key + R, type 'chkdsk /r'.)

 

[Naga]

Hi

First of all I recommend you to restart the computer in safe mode and check for the issue.

Pls follow the below steps to start the computer in safe mode.


Using the F8 Method

Restart your computer.
When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a Windows XP Advanced Options menu.
Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

 

[JohnthePilot]

Hi Joe,

Do you mean there is no taskbar?
If so, go into task manager, click on 'Applications' tab, then 'New Task', type 'explorer.exe'.

Create new shortcuts to the programs (Right click the desktop, new, shortcut).

Try running check disc (Windows key + R, type 'chkdsk /r'.)

I tried running explorer.exe. The taskbar flashed up then disappeared again. Right clicking on the background has no effect. I'll try chkdsk and see what that does.
Thanks,
Pilot.

 

[JohnthePilot]

Hi

First of all I recommend you to restart the computer in safe mode and check for the issue.

Pls follow the below steps to start the computer in safe mode.


Using the F8 Method

Restart your computer.
When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a Windows XP Advanced Options menu.
Select the option for Safe Mode using the arrow keys.
Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.
Do whatever tasks you require and when you are done reboot to boot back into normal mode.

Thanks naga, I'll try that when I've had my dinner.

 

[JohnthePilot]

Hi Guys,
I've tried all those and still no joy.

 

[<SKATER]]

sounds like a virus. and for the life of me I can not remember which one it is. if you can slave the drive in another computer you could run a virus scan on it.

 

[Kalim]

If explorer.exe flashes on/off, the computer normally will be infected. Get into SafeMode as advised and run through system scans with all that I know you're aware of from another post of yours.

You actually really need an XP on media storage for this. When you get in through SafeMode (or with networking), try seeing and noting down the EventViewer errors/warnings found in the Start Menu, under Accessories>Admin Tools.

 

[JohnthePilot]

Hi Kalim,

If explorer.exe flashes on/off, the computer normally will be infected. Get into SafeMode as advised and run through system scans with all that I know you're aware of from another post of yours.

You actually really need an XP on media storage for this. When you get in through SafeMode (or with networking), try seeing and noting down the EventViewer errors/warnings found in the Start Menu, under Accessories>Admin Tools.

I can't get into Safe Mode. I think this machine is in a mess. It may be necessary to reformat. I'm going to try MicroBell's 5 steps first and then post a HJT log.
Regards,
Pilot.

 

[carsey]

You could try downloading a boot CD or floppies from www.bootdisk.com

The floppy one requires 6 floppies but it should get you to the OS.

 

[Kalim]

Do you have UBCD? http://www.ultimatebootcd.com

It has many scanners with it and many other utilities, and will allow you to bootup in most cases.

 

[wizardsfan]

Does you graphics card have the option for two monitors because some times windows tells the computer to show the start bar and the desk to on the seconded monitor. (To fix it go to the display properties and then click settings Select the second monitor and then unchek the extend my windows desktop onto this monitor).

 

[JohnthePilot]

Hi Chris and Kalim

You could try downloading a boot CD or floppies from www.bootdisk.com

The floppy one requires 6 floppies but it should get you to the OS.

Thanks for your advice, but I don't need a startup disc. Windows starts OK and all programs run, it's just that there is no desktop so that I have to run everything from Task Manager. I'm in the process of preparing for an HJT log. It's going to take a little while as I'm in someone else's house and it would be rude to devote myself to this problem and ignore my hosts:smile: .
Regards,
Pilot.

 

[Kalim]

Defrag and also a System Restore before this happened should be considered.

Also just run a check of which Shdocvw.dll version you have in %systemroot%

I've dealt with this about two weeks ago with a friend. It was a common known F-Nimda virus for her. Do this:

Go to: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.txt

That will give you the instructions and the following site is the file to download and use: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.reg

The point of UBCD was to run system utilities and extensive checkups in DOS and thus something worse was to come about, you can bootup with the disc itself.

 

[Naga]

Thanks naga, I'll try that when I've had my dinner.

Hi. Have you started the computer in safe mode. Pls let me know the status of this issue in safe mode?

 

[Naga]

If possible pls send me the scrrenshots of the Desktop. I will try to figureout the reason for this issue. Pls send the screeshots of the Desktop in safe mode and normal mode.
Thanks

 

[Kalim]

Hi. Have you started the computer in safe mode. Pls let me know the status of this issue in safe mode?

Hi Kalim,

I can't get into Safe Mode. I think this machine is in a mess. It may be necessary to reformat. I'm going to try MicroBell's 5 steps first and then post a HJT log.
Regards,
Pilot.

If possible pls send me the scrrenshots of the Desktop. I will try to figureout the reason for this issue. Pls send the screeshots of the Desktop in safe mode and normal mode.
Thanks

Just picture nothing, no icons, no desktop, no toolbar coming up.

 

[Naga]

I recommend you to perform online scan with symantec. Pls try the below link to perform online virus scan.

http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/home_homeoffice/index_virus.html