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Upon start up only wallpaper shows, no icons

Last answer on Feb 5, 2010 11:18:57 pm GMT Challanged, on Jul 8, 2008 9:09:45 pm BST

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Hello,

Upon start up only my wallpaper shows. There are no icons, no task bar, no start menu, nothing, just a blank screen other than my wallpaper. When I right click just to get into the desktop, I select display and even that gets no response. Can someone please help me.

Thank you

Configuration: Windows XP
Internet Explorer 6.0

Ask your question Reply

problem need help, on Jul 9, 2008 3:30:54 am BST

Same problem anyone help?

Reply to problem need help

challanged, on Jul 9, 2008 11:16:06 pm BST

+24

Well good news for me; I have fixed the problem with my machine. After hours of reading blogs and posts and getting different suggesttions from many people I decided to do what I know. I restarted my computer, upon start up I hit F8 to get into the safe mode options. I selected start in safe mode. I then went into control panel, and did a system restore to a date from last month. Once that happened, the comp restarts itself and lo and behold everything was back to normal.

I would give this option a try.

I did many things from creating a new user account, etc etc. and nothing worked. Try the system restore and that should fix the problem.

Reply to challanged

shivakumar, on Sep 27, 2008 7:20:53 am BST

+12

Dear administrators..
iam using windows vista home Edition
Upon start up only my wallpaper shows. There are no icons, no task bar, no start menu, nothing, just a blank screen .
desktop icons and start menu recent program icons dont display!. Can someone please help me.

how can i recover it

Reply to shivakumar

122

Pratibha, on Feb 3, 2009 2:12:13 pm GMT

+41

Press button alt+ctrl+Delete. then click on new task button & write in box "explorer.exe" then click on Ok Button Ur PC will be start.

Reply to Pratibha

124

mahat, on Feb 6, 2009 1:07:12 am GMT

I don't even see explorer.exe in Task Manager/Processes. When I typed in explorer.exe and try running it, it said that could not find/locate the file. However, the explorer.exe file is in C:\WINDOWS\

Please advise. I have tried reparing Window twice already, and have restore it to all my previous settings, but still my desktop just don't show up. Oh, I even tried using Uniblue to run registry cleanup.

Really hopeless now because I don't want to spend my whole weekends reinstalling softwares =(

Reply to mahat

186

Bigrick, on Jul 26, 2009 2:54:22 am BST

Typiing in "explorer.exe" fixed my windoze 2000... thanks

Reply to Bigrick

220

sajib, on Dec 24, 2009 8:48:37 am GMT

THANKS A LOT PRATIVA

Reply to sajib

224

mickcj2001, on Jan 3, 2010 8:08:56 pm GMT

Thankyou so much that worked for me.

Reply to mickcj2001

solmolu, on Sep 27, 2008 8:52:44 pm BST

Oh wow, thanks bunches. The other solutions didnt really make sense to me because i they were asking me to do things when i couldnt do anything with my computer, but your solution really made some sense, and WORKS! well, the last part was a bit unclear, so, ill clarify it a bit for anyone who still has this problem. Start up your computer, and while the computer is still black and it shows you all of those numbers and stuff, press F8. Then, browse through all of the options and select starting with Safe Mode. This might take some time, so don't get discouraged. After thats done, X out of that thing that pops up, and wait for your screen to load. Then go to start -> all programs -> accesories -> system tools(im translating the option from my computer so, this might not be the exact wording) -> system restore. Then, pick a point from before you had any of this nonsense and wait for your computer to do its magic, and soon you will be free of it =D

Reply to solmolu

kee kee, on Nov 21, 2008 1:39:32 am GMT

Thank you very much this really did work. thanks a bunch

Reply to kee kee

dada, on Nov 29, 2008 7:19:20 am GMT

I have same problem and i tried ur soln but in safe mode also nothing appear but black screen.if u know how to do it in safe mode with command promote pls help me

Reply to dada

TheParoxysm, on Dec 8, 2008 5:19:14 am GMT

You were having a login error and I am sorry I wasn't a member a the time or else I could have helped you repair your registry/login.

Rolling back your system restore, or reverting to old settings is NOT a fix, I repeat, it is NEVER a fix. Rewinding time merely means that IF you don't repeat the same mistake (and if you never find out what the problem is, you never know the mistake to avoid) then you won't encounter a problem. It's rare that it actually solves anything permanently. Also clutters up the hard drive space. Can you say frequent defrags and hard on the hard drive?

So in the future, don't accept the old "format/system restore/rollback/reinstall" option.

There is always a better and more reliable option to permanently deal with the problem.

Have a good day!

Reply to TheParoxysm

118

hheck, on Feb 1, 2009 4:37:08 am GMT

I was having same problem, whats the fix? hh

Reply to hheck

ryan, on Dec 12, 2008 7:35:10 am GMT

After start up, i login, and only wallpaper appear. have tried your suggestions, F8 and nothing, tried everything, and still nothing

Reply to ryan

109

daisey, on Jan 18, 2009 11:30:30 pm GMT

Challanged

Tried many things. Your safe mode start and system restore corrected problem

D

Reply to daisey

143

pspfan15, on Mar 5, 2009 4:32:09 pm GMT

Thank you very much u legend

Reply to pspfan15

197

Mines001, on Aug 31, 2009 9:05:18 pm BST

I must thank you!!!! this actually worked!!! i didnt expect it to, because it came off of the internet, but it did!!! Thank You!!!

Reply to Mines001

217

BSARMA, on Dec 15, 2009 6:49:27 am GMT

Thak you for your quick solution. My VISTA machine had a spyware attack and srating at safe mofe (pressing F8) and then system restore with one day old image fixed the issue!

Reply to BSARMA

185

fixed it, on Jul 15, 2009 6:14:55 pm BST

Okay i have windows vista so i dont know if its works the same for xp... but start the task manager (ctrl+alt+delete), click start new task & type: explorer thats all nothing else & it should work.

Reply to fixed it

203

StevieG, on Oct 1, 2009 9:23:52 pm BST

Hi all,

I helped a friend with this problem and tried many of the suggested fixes (all kinds of spyware / virus scanners ect.). Finally the problem was solved in a very surprising way!! We found that on the desktop there was a folder that was containing a lot of stuff, all together 59gigs!!). Removing this folder solved the problem. So apparently this big folder on the desktop was the reason for the problem in this case. I don't know what is the limit of desktop content size before it can cause a problem, but if you have any big folders or files there it may be worth trying to move them somewhere else.

Hope this can help some of you:-)

Reply to StevieG

213

scorpion, on Nov 27, 2009 12:08:23 pm GMT

Go to CTRL, ALT+DEL (Task Manager) choose file and then click new task (RUN) type In the Open box, appwiz.cpl, and then click OK. It may take several seconds for your computer to compile a list of programs.
Scroll down through the list and click Windows Internet Explorer 7, and then click Remove later it requires restart of your Computer.

Simple method to follow :)

Reply to scorpion

Jim333c, on Jul 16, 2008 3:16:42 pm BST

I had the same problem. It's just some stupid spyware garbage. This is a very simple fix. Just download (HiJackThis) http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html

It only took me 10 sec. to do the scan. It will ask you if you want to delete everything, I clicked yes. Just make sure that there are no other programs (including the internet) running. This just make it easier to delete the files encase there running. MAKE SURE YOU RESTART YOU COMPUTER, when it comes back on you will have you lovely computer computing for you again!!!

I understand that nothing is a guarantee, but all I see is people coming up with these crazy answers to solve this problem and their all over thinking it. It's spyware, just spyware. So try my way out its very fast and easy. Feel free to respond with any question I'll be glad to help. Good Luck!!!

Reply to Jim333c

RayRay, on Aug 6, 2008 1:36:25 pm BST

How can i run this spyware if no icons show up, icons dont even show up in safe mode??

Reply to RayRay

mevs, on Sep 16, 2008 10:20:06 am BST

Press ctl + shif + esc and click on new task type in explorer

if that dont work just reinstall windows and alos i would like to know how your doing this with out a computer

Reply to mevs

A, on Sep 24, 2008 8:56:31 am BST

Your an angel!!! explorer thingy worked! But Can Some1 Tell Me What Made This Happen???? Isit Spyware?

Reply to A

keitchy, on Sep 30, 2008 2:36:31 pm BST

Virusus

Reply to keitchy

vvv, on Oct 4, 2008 11:12:25 pm BST

Ur an idiot first off he is using a diffrent comp and second you cant install anything without your exploere window working.

Reply to vvv

Smily, on Oct 6, 2008 10:01:52 am BST

Actually, if you use ctrl alt dlt you can still use internet and heaps of other programs, it doesn't stop your computer working entirely.

Reply to Smily

117

hheck, on Feb 1, 2009 4:35:29 am GMT

I am having same prob, tried typing in "explorer" and "explorer.exe" and I get error message that "Windows cannot find 'explorer'" and I did type it correctly--any ideas?

Reply to hheck

134

Lyle, on Feb 20, 2009 1:29:31 pm GMT

Thank you! I typed "explorer.exe" in the box after that, and it worked! Your help is much appreciated!
Lyle

Reply to Lyle

dan, on Aug 6, 2008 5:23:04 pm BST

How can you download when there is no way to access the computer. After turning on the computer the screen only shows the wallpaper. I cannot access any keys.

Reply to dan

lilnicky, on Aug 13, 2008 1:24:09 pm BST

Wow i had the same problem and Hijack fixed the problem........its was free and really fast. Thank you so much for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!, this was beggining to get real annoying.

Reply to lilnicky

trace76, on Sep 2, 2008 9:44:30 pm BST

Tried your suggestion with your link to scan for spyware &...it didnt work. :( not sure now what to do. so frustrating!!! :(

any other ideas what to do???

thx! :D

Reply to trace76

denmalk, on Oct 9, 2008 7:51:47 am BST

Dude man thanks u so much for the link of jijack i did wat u said and my computer restarted and it worked perfectly agian omg im so happy thanks i waz doing so many things but nothing would work ecept this man thank THANKS!!

Reply to denmalk

Shanglawt, on Oct 9, 2008 5:14:31 pm BST

Hello.. thanks for your sharing.. i am getting dizzy with this problem the whole night and now i got the solution... that little piece script really work for me !!!! now my task bar, start button, and desktop icons are back... thanks a lots for this help....

Reply to Shanglawt

Shanglawt, on Oct 9, 2008 5:18:09 pm BST

Hello.. thanks for your sharing.. i am getting dizzy with this problem the whole night and now i got the solution... that little piece exe file really work for me !!!! now my task bar, start button, and desktop icons are back... thanks a lots for this help....

Reply to Shanglawt

oleg, on Oct 25, 2008 4:32:42 am BST

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It worked!!!

Reply to oleg

malhar01, on Nov 9, 2008 3:24:44 pm GMT

Hey thanx 4 ur suggestion i downloaded the software and ran it but i got a message which read "windows32 does not support this file" . is there any other suggestion?

Reply to malhar01

127

RichyB, on Feb 9, 2009 8:44:32 am GMT

This isnt really the answer to DELETE ALL of the entrys could cause more problems than it fixes, anti virus and anti spareware programs show up in the hijack this program, if you delete everything you could stop anti virus from running which inturn could cause you alot more pronblems.

for example i run a network and i have some scripts that run when a user logs on, if i go and delete all the entrys in the hijack this log it will cause me no end of problems so please be carefull when deleting the entrys.

DONT delete anything that looks like your anti virus software or anti spyware.

Reply to RichyB

132

superfresh, on Feb 17, 2009 7:25:36 pm GMT

Dude i tried this and it doesnt work it all started yesterday when my laptop started having pop ups of vireses

Reply to superfresh

212

Shubham, on Nov 27, 2009 12:00:23 pm GMT

Hi Friends,

i need a one soulution that prolem because i see this problem and solved it .

1) you start your pc in safe mode or normal mode.
2) Then Use Ctrl + Alt + Del Key and ten start task menager
3) Then Go To File and then New Task and then type regedit
4) and then Go To Hiky Local Mashine/ Software / Microsoft / WindowsNT / Winlogon / and then See
right side option ( Outher Entery Type For Exp :- Taskmenand above:-( recycaler234 654365\winap32.exe )
delete That entry and then see
5) Shell :- ( Explorer.exe ) is currect entry ome Outher Entry so screp it
6) Userinit :- ( C:\windows\system32\userinit.exe, ) is currect entry ome Outher Entry so screp it
7) after checking this entry Go To Same Location in Hiky Current User and find the outher Entry Poin

8) and Then Reload Explorer.exe file same window and Userinit.exe in system32 folder and then restart the window and this srep is Usfule all Window version so thankes and regards

Shubham
9429439191

Reply to Shubham

Pratibha, on Jul 23, 2008 6:23:44 am BST

Upon start up only wallpaper shows, no icons

Reply to Pratibha

MAC, on Aug 6, 2008 3:02:07 pm BST

You can Ctrl - Alt - Del, and under the Applications tab click "New" and type in "explorer". This will bring up your desktop. You can then try the many suggestions that you have read about.

Reply to MAC

jolyn, on Oct 10, 2008 3:57:44 am BST

Thank you so much for ur advise... first thing i tried and it worked.

Reply to jolyn

107

weatherdog, on Jan 15, 2009 2:59:01 am GMT

Awesome! I messed with this all day unistalling SP3 etc and your "explorer" advice fixed it. Very much appreciated.

JWS

Reply to weatherdog

149

MessedPC, on Mar 12, 2009 4:19:56 pm GMT

THANKS MAN IT WORKED NOW I CAN DELETE THIS STUFF ON MY COMPUTER

Reply to MessedPC

221

ARTEM, on Dec 29, 2009 12:27:59 am GMT

Laptop does not respond to CTRL+ALT+DEL at all. It only shows the sand watch (or whatever you call it) for one second and that's it.

Reply to ARTEM

229

pensoc, on Jan 20, 2010 5:21:51 pm GMT

Hi there, When i cnt alt and del task manager isnt even on there !! help.
pensox

Reply to pensoc

Softwarer, on Aug 13, 2008 9:00:43 am BST

I also have this problem sometimes. I have no idea about the reason or a permanent solution, but I used to solve it by clicking "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "Del", then go to "Processes" tab, select the "EXPLORER" process and click "End Task". Then goto "Shut Down" menu, select "Log off". It will show you all available user accounts. Select your account and it will work fine.

Reply to Softwarer

Bob, on Aug 14, 2008 7:07:48 pm BST

I have the same problem. Wall paper & no icons. Safe mode brings me to a black screen with "safe mode" in white in each corner of the monitor. I can't do anything from this point.

Also, "ctrl-alt-delete" doesn't bring up the control panel no matter how many times i try it. Help!

Reply to Bob

edunk, on Aug 17, 2008 5:26:12 pm BST

I have the same problem! Some one please help! Ctrl+Alt+Delete doest not work. Safe mofe does not work either. Im about to reformat the whole computer unless anyone has any ideas

Reply to edunk

Gez, on Aug 17, 2008 4:36:27 pm BST

I've had a similar problem, if your computer is windows xp then there is a simple fix.
If your computer fails to show icons and start bar this is because windows explorer has not started for some reason or other. to simply turn this on hit "ctrl+alt+del" to bring up the task manager.

Select file in the top left corner and new task.

Type into the box "explorer" without the quotation marks and you should have your precious icons back, i would then do a scan to see if a virus has caused this.

Reply to Gez

edunk, on Aug 17, 2008 5:28:09 pm BST

Ctrl+Alt+Delete does nothing for me. nothing shows up. Safe modejust shows a black screen. Anyone have any ideas??

Reply to edunk

Milky, on Sep 1, 2008 4:34:43 am BST

I tried but no result. When type Explorer in new task box then answered "Make sure the type in box" if wnat to search then click the start menu and then search.

Reply to Milky

The bob, on Sep 4, 2008 11:44:25 am BST

Same here.

Reply to The bob

120

Byrd, on Feb 2, 2009 9:46:02 am GMT

Just for alll those people who say ctrl+alt+del doesn't work do this to alternately pull up task manager ctrl+shift+esc
then try new task explorer.exe

Reply to Byrd

Noah, on Sep 3, 2008 11:13:01 pm BST

Thanks this worked perfectly. I was able to get to my antispyware and find the sucker that caused it.

Reply to Noah

Nat, on Sep 9, 2008 1:24:21 am BST

Hello....I Found your answer to a problem that I am having and tried it a few times and nothings seems to be working.
Do you have any other advise, I am about to throw my computer out the window....just kidding but I am very frustrated now. Been sitting here for about 5 hrs and nothing seems to work.

Reply to Nat

128

D, on Feb 9, 2009 4:15:28 pm GMT

+11

HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO SAY THIS BEFORE YOU GET IT? THE EXPLORER THING CREATES AN ERROR MESSAGE, GOD ALMIGHTY, READ THE EXTENDED PROBLEMS.

Reply to D

eddy, on Aug 19, 2008 7:14:40 am BST

Hi m8s,
First I would like to express my deepest gratitude for those of you who are finding time to help poor bums like me.

With that said, I would like to somewhat expend the domain of the problem;

There are three user accounts on my machine. I was able to get to the “wall paper & no icons” by logging into the one of the secondary (no admin privileges) accounts, but every time I try to login into the main account, my machine freezes. Additionally, task manager would not start any new process, not even explorer.

To make things funnier, it is an old laptop with a DVD drive that is out of commission, so I cannot even reinstall the OS. I already see my hard drive in a nice little enclosure so that I can salvage at least some of the data (I hope).

As a final thought, after researching this and other forums, I am pretty damn sure that it is some nasty malware creating the havoc.

Reply to eddy

eca06ljc, on Sep 9, 2008 1:54:08 am BST

What did u do in the end cos im in exactly the same position as you without a disk drive

Reply to eca06ljc

119

IrateCaterpillar, on Feb 2, 2009 9:37:17 am GMT

Me To :(:(:(

Reply to IrateCaterpillar

merr, on Sep 4, 2008 2:52:06 am BST

CTL+ALT+DEL then click file and new task. then type explorer.exe and press ok

Reply to merr

kuzi, on Sep 4, 2008 4:29:13 am BST

I have been suffering with this for a while now, I have tried everything. I just ran hijack this and have no real idea of what I am looking at. Any help?

Reply to kuzi

lillies, on Sep 4, 2008 5:29:12 pm BST

+13

Hi, I'm having the same problem--only wallpaper, no icons, start or task bar.
So I ctl-alt-dlt ed and I can get the task manager up and running. However, I try running explorer.exe, and I get "Windows cannot find 'C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe'" etc. I even try to browse for it, find it, and run it but same result. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

Reply to lillies

121

Byrd, on Feb 2, 2009 9:50:02 am GMT

When windows runs a task it searches everywhere so if it can't find it, it's been deleted and your going to have to get a new one possibly download from Microsoft might work

Reply to Byrd

lastresort, on Sep 9, 2008 11:51:41 am BST

Just to let everyone know.... While surfing through the internet I found someone who solved this problem and has a way to fix it. There are 2 registry keys in the registry that are causing the problem. It affects the explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe files.

This is the key that needs to be deleted...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplorer.exe

Once these keys are deleted the desktop and internet explorer should come back to life.

Thank you whoever found this information and I hope this will be a benefit to someone else out there.

Reply to lastresort

hber08, on Sep 11, 2008 8:49:12 pm BST

Thanks so much!! Delete registry key really works for me.

By Alt-Ctrl-Dele on the wallpaper screen, enter "regedit" in the new task, click ok, bring you to registry window. Follow the route:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplorer.exe

Great!, I am back. Really appreciate!! Alan

Reply to hber08

gini, on Sep 20, 2008 12:05:22 pm BST

Thanx a lot. this "regedit" thing worked for me as well. Thaannks a lot again. i suggest this solution to everyone having similar problems. i had tried a lot of other things but only this worked

Reply to gini

palmarules, on Sep 26, 2008 8:02:29 pm BST

The regedit worked for me, tried HJT no joy but deleting the explorer thing in registry restored all back, Well done sir!!!

Reply to palmarules

kimsan, on Nov 24, 2008 4:19:01 am GMT

Hi there,
i try the :

By Alt-Ctrl-Dele on the wallpaper screen, enter "regedit" in the new task, click ok, bring you to registry window. Follow the route:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplorer.exe

its not works,

I try Hijack this, also not working.
I try key in explorer.exe in new run command, also not working.

any idea, Pls

Reply to kimsan

Dyspayre, on Dec 16, 2008 1:50:55 am GMT

I read all these "fixes" and none of them worked till i got to the deleting of the reg file.. you guys rawk

Reply to Dyspayre

130

Joeey, on Feb 12, 2009 4:52:55 am GMT

Okay, so I might be really bad at this technology stuff but once you click ok the screen pops up right? And then HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe should be on the left hand side? Do you actually delete ALL the files within that folder? (HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, SECURITY, SAM, SYSTEM) I just want to be absolutely sure before I delete anything.

Reply to Joeey

Woody, on Sep 15, 2008 11:10:20 am BST

Hi,

Thank you for the REGEDIT info, i was looking at a system format otherwise. Worked like a charm!

thanks again, keep up the good work!

Woody

Reply to Woody

davewithabeard, on Sep 16, 2008 8:38:45 am BST

Cheers for that. Only found explorer.exe but at least now have a normal desktop.
Regards, Dave.

Reply to davewithabeard

abc, on Dec 14, 2008 11:38:53 am GMT

After finding explorer.exe what did u do

Reply to abc

104

albino, on Dec 27, 2008 3:54:16 am GMT

U delete them

Reply to albino

Reiver, on Sep 20, 2008 10:03:08 am BST

Brilliant! Thanks for the regedit hack. That worked on a mate's PC I was asked to look at.

Reply to Reiver

colton, on Sep 23, 2008 6:01:53 pm BST

So i did exactly what you said, i got all the way to "image file execution options" but there is no "explorer.exe" or "iexplorer" does anyone have any idea why they arent there?

Reply to colton

wingiv, on Oct 14, 2008 4:02:08 am BST

I found something that worked at this website: http://www.vistaheads.com/...

Just use the following steps:

If the machine is clean, use this method to fix winlogon from MVP Rick
Rogers:

The shell entry may be damaged in the registry. From Task Manager, click
'new task' on the applications tab. Type regedit and click ok. Agree to the
UAC prompt, then expand the branches to reach this one:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Click on the Winlogon key, then on the right find the "shell" string. Double
click it, change the value data to read "explorer.exe" (without the quotes)
and click ok. Then close the registry editor and restart the system by
entering another new task as 'shutdown /r'.

Reply to wingiv

210

Ytsejamer1, on Nov 26, 2009 3:04:09 pm GMT

I went into safemode, started regedit task using administrator privs, then used Wingiv's solution. Worked like a charm. I had explorer.exe C:\windows\system32\crss.exe or something else like that in the entry. I removed everything but explorer.exe and all was well again. Slick.

Reply to Ytsejamer1

233

Marsha, on Feb 5, 2010 11:18:57 pm GMT

THANK YOU SO MUCH....THIS WORKED FOR ME!!! IT ALREADY HAD "Explorer.exe" in the value data but I changed it by making it "explorer.exe" (all small caps) and rebooted! Everything's back to normal! :)

Reply to Marsha

PB, on Oct 2, 2008 1:26:36 am BST

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP - HAD SAME PROBLEM - REAL LIFE SAVER

Reply to PB

robednz, on Oct 6, 2008 11:30:34 pm BST

Thanx this worked perfect

Reply to robednz

Doobiedar, on Oct 10, 2008 1:11:07 am BST

Sweet - worked perfectly for me (however iexplorer.exe wasn't there).

Thanks very much for the fix!

Reply to Doobiedar

redneckislandgirl, on Oct 28, 2008 8:39:08 pm GMT

Thank you soooooooo much!
I had no idea that I could go so deep into a computer and do these things myself!
I am blown away!
I had been trying everything.....just about to give up and take it into a repair place.
No telling how much $$$ this saved me!
Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom.

Reply to redneckislandgirl

ruffrunner, on Dec 4, 2008 6:32:58 pm GMT

Hey I am also having the same problem of no icons or anything. When I bring up the TASK MANAGER, and try to run "REGEDIT", nothing will happen... everything just freezes up and can't do anything, not even restart or log off of my account. Any idea what I can do?

Reply to ruffrunner

116

bettyjo32, on Jan 31, 2009 10:05:56 pm GMT

Thank you so much. this worked!! i didn't have an iexplorer.exe either. but deleting the explorer.exe key worked. great job!!

Reply to bettyjo32

140

Dolphin, on Feb 25, 2009 3:00:11 am GMT

I did this but I still have no start icon or wallpaper. ANd now when I try CTRL-ALT-DELETE, I get the following message: Logon process has failed to create the security optons......
Failure-Security Options

Can you help please??

Reply to Dolphin

190

fjm, on Aug 18, 2009 7:38:23 pm BST

Worked for me!!!

Reply to fjm

218

wifes tech, on Dec 15, 2009 11:23:29 pm GMT

This was good stuff ended doing what you said, but had to also go into safe mode command prompt and running a new explorer bars loaded just fine after that. after reset and on to normal windows it all came up just fine ty for the Infor

Reply to wifes tech

mick, on Sep 10, 2008 9:13:48 am BST

Have tried everything mentioned in this thread... to no avail...

Those keys are not to be found in the location of the registry you sugesed. Only a map named explorer.

When trying to install any anti virus or anti spyware software I get the message that the admin does not allow this installation, even when logged ni as sys admin. So I guess this spyware changes this, too.

Need a fix fast for this problem.
thanks

Reply to mick

135

Edub, on Feb 20, 2009 11:20:13 pm GMT

Have you found a to fix this problem?

Reply to Edub

TemperanceFixItShop, on Sep 10, 2008 4:55:28 pm BST

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

Just went into regedit and removed and I am up and working.

Koodos

That was the ticket. Thank You. Joe

Reply to TemperanceFixItShop

Andrew, on Sep 11, 2008 6:48:44 pm BST

Removing the explorer.exe key from the windowsnt directory in the registry worked perfect for me as well. Windows starts fine now. Run a system scan with your spyware/virus software to make sure all is well once completed.

Reply to Andrew

Brad, on Sep 10, 2008 6:53:47 pm BST

I have a Win2K Pro machine that is having the same issue with the start up. Just shows the wallpaper and nothing else. When using CTRL-ALT-DEL, Task Manager will not launch. Nothing works loading in safe mode or last known good config. Trying to figure something out because the original disks for this machine are no where to be found.

Any suggestions here?

Thanks in advance,
Brad

Reply to Brad

Golden Guy, on Sep 12, 2008 4:47:18 pm BST

I have the solution. I spent 5 days until I found a solution to this Trojan Virus problem. Each time you boot up and click on one of your software icons ALL the icons and control bar on the bottom of the screen disappear. I tried all the leading anti-virus software and none worked. I got on a Microsoft blog site and kept seeing the same software mentioned as a solution. I used SUPERAntiSpyware 4.21 to clear the Trojan out and then Uniblue “Registry Booster 2” to fix the registry problems caused by the virus.. This Trojan virus is a very difficult virus to kill, but this SUPERAntiSpyware did the trick.

Another unrelated problem that I had on ALL of our computers that Microsoft could not solve, but our staff did…. When we installed SP3 all of our windows xp systems were stuck in a continuous boot-up loop after rebooting. Once we re-booted the system after the SP3 installation the computers were stuck on the “Windows XP graphic” on the screen with a continuous scroll bar. THE SOLUTION: Get rid of all firewire cords on external devices and replace with USB cords if the drive or components can use USB. Windows xp with Service Pack 3 will not boot up completely with firewire cords attached to the computer. Microsoft spent 3 hours trying to solve the problem and finally told me it was a driver problem with WD USB drives. This was not the case.. INCORRECT. Just remove the firewired compents… You do not need any new drivers for you hard drives.

I hope this help someone out there.

Reply to Golden Guy

Ticked Off PC, Lovely Mac, on Sep 15, 2008 12:35:15 am BST

Dear User,
It was a simple fix really. I went to the mall brought it to the apple store. ( I had Windows XP SP2)
and they fixed it for free. I sold the PC on eBay with a blank system. No OS (programmable) and bought a Mac. No Problems. =) Also I got a free iPod Touch b/c of the "Back to School" Special.
Sincerely,
Pissed of Windows User (Happy Steve Jobs User {Steve Jobs Creator of Mac and Apple})

Reply to Ticked Off PC, Lovely Mac

tm, on Sep 16, 2008 10:04:58 pm BST

Hi i am a total amateur and have the same problem. i did not solve it yet but i did find a way inn to copy files. I had no icons, no task bar just a screen saver, and the recovery discs were useless and ctl-alt del did nothing either. the only thing i was able to do was right click and it let me make a new folder on the screen. miraculously it stayed there and then i right clicked it again and it let me into explore then further into control panel. I managed to copy all my documents music photos etc on to an external drive. yipee. but when i tried to copy my favorites it froze so i turned off power retarted and now have black screen, but at least i got my files someone who is tech savvy could have done more. hope that helps someone

Reply to tm

seymore, on Sep 18, 2008 3:41:56 am BST

I get no icons no start up menu. i tried ctrl alt del and it tells me task mgr has been dissable bu admen. what do i do then? pleas help.

Reply to seymore

Mobunktu, on Nov 8, 2008 3:04:08 pm GMT

In reply to:

...i get no icons no start up menu. i tried ctrl alt del and it tells me task mgr has been dissable bu admen. what do i do then? pleas help...

I have a guide that can help in solving the problem without formatting and can backup files before doing anything.
There must be several ways, however I like to learn the easiest and shortest way and as a last resource -format-.

The tools I used are only 2

TuneUp-Utilities 2007 Portable (usb)
AVG 8 Free Edition

With the first you can restore the disabeled cmd, regedit,nofolderoptions, and then remove errors at startup
With the second it is a reliable tool for free that will remove all the pesky worm Brontok.ej, eksplorasi, ntde1ect,etc

Note: If you have solved the problem and want to share the solution, send it to me. If you dont, send me an email and I will send you my notes. -NO ATTACHMENTS-

Reply to Mobunktu

102

bigpimpisjm, on Dec 21, 2008 7:36:07 am GMT

I'll share the solution because i had the same problem ...some computers have a recovery console on them and the key is usually F10 to access this console...if you have it and run it then your problem is solved...

as for the other people you can hold down ctrl+alt...and hit delete to bring up your task manager

if it'll let you go to file then to new ..then type in explorer.exe and hit enter ...if it brings up your icons ...then you're home free ...pin explorer back to the startup and you're good...if you type in the process and it gives you an error you can try to copy an explorer executable from another computer onto your jump drive....go to file then new...then hit browse and locate the explorer in your jump drive you transferred it to...right click and hit cut then go to c drive / local disks ....then go to WINDOWS folder... delete the explorer and then right click and hit paste restart ...if it works then congrats...if not

download hijack this by trend micro and put it onto a flash drive... you're going to open this file by doing the exact same thing open task manager...then go to file ...new ...then hit browse and locate hijack this...look for anything suspicious that you don't recognise ..i would not recommend checking EVERYTHING as some moron said earlier you can really fuck your compuuter up by doing that ...

check anything that looks suspicious that has the number 04 beside it which is a startup entry and you should be good to go ...let me know if it works...my yahoo screen name is bigpimpinsjm

Reply to bigpimpisjm

105

barney, on Dec 27, 2008 12:59:46 pm GMT

Same problem. This guy posted the fix. Try this. After a week of scratching my head, this works. Type the link and follow the directions. Good Luck!

http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xp/2

Reply to barney

188

brettman, on Aug 12, 2009 1:10:05 pm BST

I have this problem and have Vista. I load up the computer and the wallpaper appears but no icons or toolbar etc. just the mouse pointer. When i press ctrl alt delete nothing happens and I cant turn my laptop off using the off button. i'm a complete idiot when it comes to PC's but this seems to be a bit of a nightmare. please help!!!

Reply to brettman

131

mv, on Feb 16, 2009 3:47:34 pm GMT

How do you install this

Reply to mv

166

AzNbOiYu, on Apr 17, 2009 2:02:47 am BST

I can't even open up Task Mananger help please.

Reply to AzNbOiYu

227

same here, on Jan 19, 2010 6:55:43 am GMT

I had the same problem this morning. I could not get up the 'HKEY' thing. It was a new system, so i was going to re-format it. Just before i did that, i tried one more thing. ctrl alt del, task manager, run, explorer.exe. I hit return and it worked.
Great

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