The "start" and other icons won't show up??? help?

Question

when i turn on my computer, nothing shows up at all exept for my desktop background. I mean It's like a complete blank. How do i fix this? I use window XP.

Answer 1

Disregarding WHY this is happening (malware is a too-common reason), here's how to get them back, at least for a moment or two:

1. Press the CTRL, ALT and DEL keys at the same time.  This will bring up Task Manager.

2. Click the File->New Task (RUN) menu item.

3. In the text box, enter  

explorer.exe

4. Click OK.

Now if this works, here's a way to avoid having to do it the next time you boot.

1. Open a Windows Explorer (My Computer) window and navigate to the C:\Windows directory.

2. Right-click on Explorer.exe (NOT just "explorer") and make a shortcut to it.  BE CAREFUL HERE.  YOU DO NOT WANT TO DISTURB EXPLORER.EXE IN ANY WAY.  MOVING IT, DELETING IT OR RENAMING IT WILL MAKE YOUR SITUATION WORSE.

3. Select the shortcut and click CTRL/X to cut it.

4. Navigate to the directory:

C:\Documents and Settings\your username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

5. Click in that directory and paste (CTRL/V) the shortcut there.

6. Logout and reboot your machine.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

After you power on ur comp, start hittin F8 key repeatedly. This will get you a boot menu where u need to select SAFE MODE.

Once comp boots up in safe mode it will ask u a system restore related question, simply click on yes and ur comp will boot in SAFE MODE and you should be able to see all items on ur desktop.

Then click on START --> RUN and then type MSCONFIG and press ENTER.

In the new window select the last tab which reads STARTUP.

There uncheck everything and click on APPLY/OK.

Restart you comp in normal mode n then see if you get ur desktop items back.