Question

Why did my desktop icons disappear?

Asked by: Lace11

My desktop icons have disappeared.  All that I have now is the desktop image from edge to edge.

I do not have a start button.  

The computer is an HP and is protected by Norton Internet Security.

I do not know how to start any programs without a "start" button or icons.

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Asked On
2008-12-21 at 08:19:48ID24001749
Tags

Windows XP

Topic

Microsoft Operating Systems

Participating Experts
4
Points
250
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: anindya-baruahPosted on 2008-12-21 at 08:23:47ID: 23222255

Try pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL. That should bring up the task manager. Go to File > New Task (Run) in Task Manager, and then type "explorer.exe" without the quotes and press enter. That should bring back your icons and the task bar.

 

by: Trick3ryPosted on 2008-12-21 at 08:27:51ID: 23222259

Hi Lace11,

Here is a band-aid fix.

  1. Once on your desktop do Control + Alt + Delete 
  2. Once in the Task Manager go to File > New Task (Run..) 
  3. Type into the run box: explorer.exe 
That should bring up your taskbar, start menu, and desktop icons.

Usually this may be a problem with a system file or if your anti-virus is outdated or hasn't been scanned recently, it may be infected.

To check your system files, go to Start > Run > and type in sfc /scannow

This will run the System File Checker, and hopefully check and fix any problems with any system files. Before doing so, I do recommend you check to see if Norton is up-to-date and has done a full scan recently.

Let me know if this works!

Cheers,
Brian

 

by: Trick3ryPosted on 2008-12-21 at 08:29:36ID: 23222262

Oh I got beat because I was making my instructions look all pretty! >:)

Also wanted to add that if this does not work, you may want to go into safe-mode and do a scan there.

Just pretty F8 while booting up the computer until you get to safe mode and follow my instructions.

 

by: Lace11Posted on 2008-12-21 at 14:36:40ID: 23223511

To Trickery:

When I followed the CTL ALT DEL part, I did get the desktop until all of the icons were drawn and then they disappeared.

I again followed the Ctl Alt Del part, and hit Start>Run>sfc /scannow and after an hour of checking files it asked me to insert the Windows XP Professional CD, which I don't have since HP has placed all files on the Hard Drive.

Where do I go from here?  

 

by: Sigh3dPosted on 2008-12-21 at 15:46:59ID: 23223727

Can you see the icons drawn in safe mode?
       Try creating a new user account and seeing if that new user account has the icons drawn, then just delete the old account

Also in Regular Mode, can you right click your desktop?
       If so, try clicking show destop icons in arrange icons by

In regular mode is Explorer.exe listed in your processes tab?
     If so, try running an antivirus, because some viruses are known to cause this

 

by: Trick3ryPosted on 2008-12-21 at 16:54:17ID: 23223893

Hi Lace11,

If when you go into your process list (in the task manager > Process tab) and you do not see explorer.exe running, it could be one of two things.

  1. Either you got a nasty virus that infected your computer; because when you load "explorer.exe" and you see your icons for a brief time before they are gone again, it sounds like a virus is closing explorer.exe right after you launch it.. Or
     
  2. Your windows installation somehow got corrupted. 
Have you tried going into safe mode yet and perform the instructions we provided?

Also if you want to burn your recovery discs if you haven't already, try these steps:

  1. Once on your desktop do Control + Alt + Delete 
  2. Once in the Task Manager go to File > New Task (Run..)  
  3. Type in "C:\Windows\SMINST\CD Creator.exe" or if that doesn't work try "C:\Windows\Creator\CD Creator.exe"
     
This will allow you to burn a copy of your recovery discs and possibly use them to repair your OS. If you are not able to burn the recovery discs, look below for a way to obtain them from the manufacturer.

Depending on how you want to approach this, ultimately I would not trust your windows installation and would recommend doing a System Recovery. HP machines are a bit easy to do this with, depending on your model.

When your system loads, press F11. This will load into HP's system recovery partition. Depending on your version, there should be an option to backup your information, then perform a system restore back to factory settings.

Also, if you want to keep working on the issue, there should be an option (After you press F11) to use Windows System Restore function and go back to a previous point in time before you had these problems. Or depending on your HP model, there may be an option to see "Advanced Tools" and perform a system startup test.

Here are two helpful links for the future:

Obtaining your HP recovery discs:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=bph07143

Creating your own HP recovery discs:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/fastFaqLiteDocument?lc=en&cc=uk&dlc=en&docname=bph08097#N632

 

by: Trick3ryPosted on 2008-12-21 at 16:57:20ID: 23223900

Also, if explorer.exe is loaded when you check your processes tab in the Task Manager, try Right Clicking your Desktop > View > Show Desktop Icons.

 

by: Trick3ryPosted on 2008-12-21 at 16:59:46ID: 23223905

Oh, and if you are able to create the Recovery CDs or obtain them from HP you will be able to use sfc /scannow or run the disc and choose a "Repair Install" which will repair/reinstall the Windows portion of your system without touching your data.

 

by: dorkestraPosted on 2008-12-21 at 17:11:06ID: 23223953

Lace,
     I agree with what others have said that there's almost certainly some piece of nasty software crashing explorer repeatedly.  This may or may not work, but if it does, it'll be a heck of a lot easier than a recovery or reinstall.

Do the same thing with ctrl+alt+del to bring up task manager and go file-->run new task. Instead of launching explorer, try running this exactly as it appears below:

iexplore http://downloads.superantispyware.com/downloads/SUPERAntiSpyware.exe

If successful, it'll use IE to prompt for a download of SuperAntiSpyware. Install it, update,  and perform a full system scan. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts there's something ugly running you need to take care of.

People have already recommended safe mode. Pressing F8 during boot will also give you the option of selecting "Safe mode with networking support". That'll allow you to run the stripped down environment and still have internet connectivity.  That may give you the opportunity to download SuperAntiSpyware, or the malware scanner of your choice.  I'd try these things before you do an OEM recovery or a reinstall.

 

by: dorkestraPosted on 2008-12-21 at 17:49:43ID: 23224286

Another idea:

ctrl+alt+del to bring up task manager and go file-->run new task.

in the run box type: rstrui.exe

That should launch system restore. See if you can go back to a date/time prior to the occurrence, and then scan the living daylights out of your system for nasties.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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