Windows 2K Pro Desktop fails to load

Do this from the task manager.
From the menu
File > New task

sfc /scannow

See if this finds any corrupted system files and replaces them. If so hopefully this will cure the problem. If not see if you can open the virus scanner and have it check for virus's. If you can get online I would also suggest using one of these free online scanners.

 Norton Web Services  
     Rating  = 4  
Go to this page and click on Scan for Viruses
http://security2.norton.com/ssc/vc_about.asp?langid=us&venid=sym&plfid=22&pkj=RKNYPJUIYCZRWEJGSSK

It needs to download a few file so as to activate the scan so you may see a message like this.

"The Scan for Viruses uses an ActiveX program to scan your computer. The download is approximately 1.5MB and can take about 10 minutes over a 28.8 modem.

The scan can take more than 20 minutes depending on the speed of your computer and the number of files that you have. Please do not browse away from this page unless you intend to abort the scan.
 
Downloading Scan for Viruses controls. Please wait...
 
During the download, you might see one or more messages asking if it is OK to download and run these programs. Click Yes when these messages appear.
 
Note: Scan for Viruses does not scan compressed files"
======================
 Trend Micro HouseCall  
     Rating  = 3
www.housecall.antivirus.com
"Trend Micro's free online virus scanner
In order to better serve our customers, we ask HouseCall users to register before scanning their computer.  By registering, you will receive virus alerts from our team of Virus Doctors. You will be able to unsubscribe when you receive your first email. You can also scan without registerin


If nothing helps try doing a repair
This is a in depth look at "Repair, Recovery, and Restore"
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/samplechapters/fndc/fndc_rec_uctu.asp
The download is actually a MS Word Document with the info
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/samplechapters/fndc/fndc_rec.exe

The following is from the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

Differences Between Manual and Fast Repair in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q238359


The Crazy One

It almost sounds like someone has given you restrictions through a policy, like hiding desktop icons and restrict display settings.  If this is the case, you can control these settings with 'poledit'(Policy Editor). If you don't have it installed, you can find it on the Windows CD under 'admin'. In poledit, the desktop control is in the 'shell restrictions' area.

It could also be that a virus has corrupted files, which I have actually seen happen before.  I would suggest updating your virus definitions and running a thorough scan of the system....if you are not running any virus scanning software on this system, GET SOME!  This would be my first step because worst case scenario, it's a quick way to eliminate one possibility.

I hope this helps you out, however I am also anxious to hear what some of the others have to say about this one.  

I am admin on this machine and we are running norton corporate edition virus protection with daily updates.  I will check the  files as suggested by CrazyOne and get back to you.

In conjuntion to what jehob said try this.

In the task manager type in gpedit.msc

User configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop
Hide all icons on Desktop

If this is enabled set it to "Not Configured.

sfc /scannow found no problems.  

gpedit.msc aready set to "Not Configured"

Just to be sure, I ran a copy of Norton from CD.  It found no problems.

Any other ideas? anything at all would be helpful.

Thanks

See if you can add a new user with admin rights an see if that works. If so you should be able to at least retaing most of the settings by copying them over from the broken user login.

compmgmt.msc

All users have the same problems.  I have logged in with seeral different logins and still no desktop.  The start menu and taskbar are there but there is no funtioning desktop.

Hmm well I just came across this article may be it will work to fix the problem.

No Desktop or Blank Desktop After Logging On to Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q256194

I'm afraid that was the first thing I tried.  The article talks about explorer.exe NOT being in the list of tasks, but in my situation, it IS on the task list. Also, there is no copy of the Shdocvw.dll file in the %SystemRoot% folder.  It is in %SystemRoot%\System32

Well this option may be something that works.

This is a in depth look at "Repair, Recovery, and Restore"
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/samplechapters/fndc/fndc_rec_uctu.asp
The download is actually a MS Word Document with the info
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/samplechapters/fndc/fndc_rec.exe

The following is from the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

Differences Between Manual and Fast Repair in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q238359

Had the same problem, tried everything I could think of to solve it before finally reinstalling windows. That finally worked. My data was all fine afterwards, just needed to reinstall a couple of drivers.

Hope that helps.

Finally fixed it.  There is a registry setting to turn off the desktop.  This setting is also available if you are using active desktop( in the properties tab).  I you go to active desktop and set it to true (no desktop), then turn active desktop off, the option to turn desktop icons on and off disappears, but the icons stay hidden.

Thanks for the info strykker. I don't use Active Destop so I definetly learned something. :>)

I have a similar issue, strykker.  Can you tell me how to access this registry setting that gave you the eventual fix?
Thanks.

I'm with Crazy....that's interesting and something I hadn't even thought of.  I love this site!

FYI:  The error occured, not while using active desktop like you would think, but while upgrading to IE 6.0

Hmmm Odd but this is Windows. LOL

If none of the above worked then download Service Pack 3 from Microsoft's website.  That did the trick for me!

Peter

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