Desktop missing?

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Guest

Long story short, my computer locked up when I was installing Norton internet
security 2007, so I did a hard reboot (pressed the power button). when my
computer came back on there was nothing, except my Documents folder. No start
menu, no task bar, no desktop, no icons, nothing... I can't even right click
in the space where the desktop should be... it does this every time I reset
the computer... I tried doing a reinstall, but it didn't do anything.

I would like to avoid a complete reformat if at all possible.

also, Im only using vista home basic, so its not like its anything terribly
demanding on my pc.

if anyone can give me any ideas, that would be great, because im stumped.
I've never had this happen on a pc before.
 
Vista + Norton not necessary the best setup, if you read thru these
discussion groups Norton seems to create problems. Suggest use "Avast", AVG,
or some other AV

Unless you can start up in "Safe Mode" and go back to a "restore point"
prior to installing Norton, unfortunate ly reformat maybe only choice -others
posts may come up with other options.

GoodLuck
 
sadly, enough, it does the same thing in safe mode... I can run all of my
programs, fine, because luckily enough I DO have the documents window show
up, but it's a rather big nuisance. that and Im not sure where everything is
in vista just yet.

if I need to reformat, then I need to reformat, but Im gonna wait and see
what anyone else has to say on the matter.
 
Aztroth

Start the computer and when you get to the blank desktop, press
CTRL+ALT+DEL. In the resulting window, select the Task Manager.

In the Task Manager, go to File / New Task (Run...) and type Explorer.exe
and press OK.

Does this make the normal Desktop and Taskbar appear?

Let me know.
 
Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to do this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to see what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe command. Any more
insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
If the Vista is a OEM version, did you create "recovery discs" if so try
using them.
If Vista was a upgrade retail version disk, insert Vista Disk and select
"Repair Installation"
If you can save as much of the settings & data as possible
Again they may work or not
 
thank you... I honestly didn't even realize that vista was still running on
explorer.exe... thought they would have changed that...

this is the retail upgrade version, but there is no 'Repair Instalation'
option available on my dvd... I re-ran the upgrade instalation already, and
that didn't fix it.

now, I can answer bobj's question :P (maybe) I believe (if its anything like
xp) that you just go into the administrative tools under control panel, and
just turn it on for auto start, or what ever they call it now.

but I could be wrong...
 
Beans

The problem is that you are missing a critical registry entry. Perform the
following.

Open Notepad and copy / paste the 3 lines of text between the 2 dashed
lines. (Don't copy the dashed lines and make sure it is copied exactly as
shown, 2 lines with no line wrap)

Select File / Save and save the file to the Desktop. Name the file
Shell.reg

Close Notepad, go to the Desktop and double click the file. OK all of the
prompts to merge the file into the registry. Reboot the computer.

Let us know the results.

---------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

---------------------------------
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


Beans said:
Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to do this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to see what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe command. Any
more
insight would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Ronnie,

This did not work. I followed instructions and it took. However, upon
restart same story, blank with just the mouse cursor. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Ronnie Vernon MVP said:
Beans

The problem is that you are missing a critical registry entry. Perform the
following.

Open Notepad and copy / paste the 3 lines of text between the 2 dashed
lines. (Don't copy the dashed lines and make sure it is copied exactly as
shown, 2 lines with no line wrap)

Select File / Save and save the file to the Desktop. Name the file
Shell.reg

Close Notepad, go to the Desktop and double click the file. OK all of the
prompts to merge the file into the registry. Reboot the computer.

Let us know the results.

---------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

---------------------------------
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


Beans said:
Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to do this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to see what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe command. Any
more
insight would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
i tried running explorer.exe through task manager but the taskbar just
appeared like it blinked.and when i run that Shell.reg,there is a warning
that says,"adding information can unintentionally change or delete values and
cause components to stop working correctly.if you dont trust the source of
this info. do not add it to the registry.are you sure you want to continue?",
--
ichi29


Ronnie Vernon MVP said:
Beans

The problem is that you are missing a critical registry entry. Perform the
following.

Open Notepad and copy / paste the 3 lines of text between the 2 dashed
lines. (Don't copy the dashed lines and make sure it is copied exactly as
shown, 2 lines with no line wrap)

Select File / Save and save the file to the Desktop. Name the file
Shell.reg

Close Notepad, go to the Desktop and double click the file. OK all of the
prompts to merge the file into the registry. Reboot the computer.

Let us know the results.

---------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

---------------------------------
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


Beans said:
Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to do this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to see what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe command. Any
more
insight would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

The warning is there to make sure you know you are altering the system
registry. It's normal, designed to prevent unintended changes. You could
change it manually as well, but Ronnie's method is easier for most.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

michiko said:
i tried running explorer.exe through task manager but the taskbar just
appeared like it blinked.and when i run that Shell.reg,there is a warning
that says,"adding information can unintentionally change or delete values
and
cause components to stop working correctly.if you dont trust the source of
this info. do not add it to the registry.are you sure you want to
continue?",
--
ichi29


Ronnie Vernon MVP said:
Beans

The problem is that you are missing a critical registry entry. Perform
the
following.

Open Notepad and copy / paste the 3 lines of text between the 2 dashed
lines. (Don't copy the dashed lines and make sure it is copied exactly as
shown, 2 lines with no line wrap)

Select File / Save and save the file to the Desktop. Name the file
Shell.reg

Close Notepad, go to the Desktop and double click the file. OK all of the
prompts to merge the file into the registry. Reboot the computer.

Let us know the results.

---------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

---------------------------------
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


Beans said:
Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to do
this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to see
what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe command.
Any
more
insight would be greatly appreciated.

:

Aztroth

Start the computer and when you get to the blank desktop, press
CTRL+ALT+DEL. In the resulting window, select the Task Manager.

In the Task Manager, go to File / New Task (Run...) and type
Explorer.exe
and press OK.

Does this make the normal Desktop and Taskbar appear?

Let me know.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


sadly, enough, it does the same thing in safe mode... I can run all
of
my
programs, fine, because luckily enough I DO have the documents
window
show
up, but it's a rather big nuisance. that and Im not sure where
everything
is
in vista just yet.

if I need to reformat, then I need to reformat, but Im gonna wait
and
see
what anyone else has to say on the matter.

:

Vista + Norton not necessary the best setup, if you read thru these
discussion groups Norton seems to create problems. Suggest use
"Avast",
AVG,
or some other AV

Unless you can start up in "Safe Mode" and go back to a "restore
point"
prior to installing Norton, unfortunate ly reformat maybe only
choice -others
posts may come up with other options.

GoodLuck
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
ah,,ok,,it is said that i should reboot after doing that,but i dont know
how,is it necessary?im sorry for my endless question..;o),thanks!
--
ichi29


Rick Rogers said:
Hi,

The warning is there to make sure you know you are altering the system
registry. It's normal, designed to prevent unintended changes. You could
change it manually as well, but Ronnie's method is easier for most.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

michiko said:
i tried running explorer.exe through task manager but the taskbar just
appeared like it blinked.and when i run that Shell.reg,there is a warning
that says,"adding information can unintentionally change or delete values
and
cause components to stop working correctly.if you dont trust the source of
this info. do not add it to the registry.are you sure you want to
continue?",
--
ichi29


Ronnie Vernon MVP said:
Beans

The problem is that you are missing a critical registry entry. Perform
the
following.

Open Notepad and copy / paste the 3 lines of text between the 2 dashed
lines. (Don't copy the dashed lines and make sure it is copied exactly as
shown, 2 lines with no line wrap)

Select File / Save and save the file to the Desktop. Name the file
Shell.reg

Close Notepad, go to the Desktop and double click the file. OK all of the
prompts to merge the file into the registry. Reboot the computer.

Let us know the results.

---------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

---------------------------------
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to do
this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to see
what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe command.
Any
more
insight would be greatly appreciated.

:

Aztroth

Start the computer and when you get to the blank desktop, press
CTRL+ALT+DEL. In the resulting window, select the Task Manager.

In the Task Manager, go to File / New Task (Run...) and type
Explorer.exe
and press OK.

Does this make the normal Desktop and Taskbar appear?

Let me know.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


sadly, enough, it does the same thing in safe mode... I can run all
of
my
programs, fine, because luckily enough I DO have the documents
window
show
up, but it's a rather big nuisance. that and Im not sure where
everything
is
in vista just yet.

if I need to reformat, then I need to reformat, but Im gonna wait
and
see
what anyone else has to say on the matter.

:

Vista + Norton not necessary the best setup, if you read thru these
discussion groups Norton seems to create problems. Suggest use
"Avast",
AVG,
or some other AV

Unless you can start up in "Safe Mode" and go back to a "restore
point"
prior to installing Norton, unfortunate ly reformat maybe only
choice -others
posts may come up with other options.

GoodLuck
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
i followed the instructions,there is a message:"Cannot import
C:\Users\iCHi29\Desktop\Shell.reg: the specified file is not a registry
script. you can only import binary registry files from within the registry
editor." does it mean i have to do it manually?thanks!
--
ichi29


michiko said:
ah,,ok,,it is said that i should reboot after doing that,but i dont know
how,is it necessary?im sorry for my endless question..;o),thanks!
--
ichi29


Rick Rogers said:
Hi,

The warning is there to make sure you know you are altering the system
registry. It's normal, designed to prevent unintended changes. You could
change it manually as well, but Ronnie's method is easier for most.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

michiko said:
i tried running explorer.exe through task manager but the taskbar just
appeared like it blinked.and when i run that Shell.reg,there is a warning
that says,"adding information can unintentionally change or delete values
and
cause components to stop working correctly.if you dont trust the source of
this info. do not add it to the registry.are you sure you want to
continue?",
--
ichi29


:

Beans

The problem is that you are missing a critical registry entry. Perform
the
following.

Open Notepad and copy / paste the 3 lines of text between the 2 dashed
lines. (Don't copy the dashed lines and make sure it is copied exactly as
shown, 2 lines with no line wrap)

Select File / Save and save the file to the Desktop. Name the file
Shell.reg

Close Notepad, go to the Desktop and double click the file. OK all of the
prompts to merge the file into the registry. Reboot the computer.

Let us know the results.

---------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

---------------------------------
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to do
this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to see
what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe command.
Any
more
insight would be greatly appreciated.

:

Aztroth

Start the computer and when you get to the blank desktop, press
CTRL+ALT+DEL. In the resulting window, select the Task Manager.

In the Task Manager, go to File / New Task (Run...) and type
Explorer.exe
and press OK.

Does this make the normal Desktop and Taskbar appear?

Let me know.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


sadly, enough, it does the same thing in safe mode... I can run all
of
my
programs, fine, because luckily enough I DO have the documents
window
show
up, but it's a rather big nuisance. that and Im not sure where
everything
is
in vista just yet.

if I need to reformat, then I need to reformat, but Im gonna wait
and
see
what anyone else has to say on the matter.

:

Vista + Norton not necessary the best setup, if you read thru these
discussion groups Norton seems to create problems. Suggest use
"Avast",
AVG,
or some other AV

Unless you can start up in "Safe Mode" and go back to a "restore
point"
prior to installing Norton, unfortunate ly reformat maybe only
choice -others
posts may come up with other options.

GoodLuck
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

Basically, just click start and type regedit, hit <enter>. Navigate to this
branch by expanding the4 plus (+) signs:

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

Locate the 'shell' string in the right pane and double click it. Replace
whatever's there with "explorer.exe" (without the quotes). Close up and
reboot.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

michiko said:
i followed the instructions,there is a message:"Cannot import
C:\Users\iCHi29\Desktop\Shell.reg: the specified file is not a registry
script. you can only import binary registry files from within the registry
editor." does it mean i have to do it manually?thanks!
--
ichi29


michiko said:
ah,,ok,,it is said that i should reboot after doing that,but i dont know
how,is it necessary?im sorry for my endless question..;o),thanks!
--
ichi29


Rick Rogers said:
Hi,

The warning is there to make sure you know you are altering the system
registry. It's normal, designed to prevent unintended changes. You
could
change it manually as well, but Ronnie's method is easier for most.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

i tried running explorer.exe through task manager but the taskbar just
appeared like it blinked.and when i run that Shell.reg,there is a
warning
that says,"adding information can unintentionally change or delete
values
and
cause components to stop working correctly.if you dont trust the
source of
this info. do not add it to the registry.are you sure you want to
continue?",
--
ichi29


:

Beans

The problem is that you are missing a critical registry entry.
Perform
the
following.

Open Notepad and copy / paste the 3 lines of text between the 2
dashed
lines. (Don't copy the dashed lines and make sure it is copied
exactly as
shown, 2 lines with no line wrap)

Select File / Save and save the file to the Desktop. Name the file
Shell.reg

Close Notepad, go to the Desktop and double click the file. OK all
of the
prompts to merge the file into the registry. Reboot the computer.

Let us know the results.

---------------------------------

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="explorer.exe"

---------------------------------
--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


Ronnie,

This helped me out tremendously. However, am I going to have to
do
this
evertime I restart my computer? I just tried to restart twice to
see
what
would happen and both times I had to type the explorer.exe
command.
Any
more
insight would be greatly appreciated.

:

Aztroth

Start the computer and when you get to the blank desktop, press
CTRL+ALT+DEL. In the resulting window, select the Task Manager.

In the Task Manager, go to File / New Task (Run...) and type
Explorer.exe
and press OK.

Does this make the normal Desktop and Taskbar appear?

Let me know.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


sadly, enough, it does the same thing in safe mode... I can run
all
of
my
programs, fine, because luckily enough I DO have the documents
window
show
up, but it's a rather big nuisance. that and Im not sure where
everything
is
in vista just yet.

if I need to reformat, then I need to reformat, but Im gonna
wait
and
see
what anyone else has to say on the matter.

:

Vista + Norton not necessary the best setup, if you read thru
these
discussion groups Norton seems to create problems. Suggest use
"Avast",
AVG,
or some other AV

Unless you can start up in "Safe Mode" and go back to a
"restore
point"
prior to installing Norton, unfortunate ly reformat maybe only
choice -others
posts may come up with other options.

GoodLuck
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Aztroth said:
Long story short, my computer locked up when I was installing Norton internet
security 2007, so I did a hard reboot (pressed the power button). when my
computer came back on there was nothing, except my Documents folder. No start
menu, no task bar, no desktop, no icons, nothing... I can't even right click
in the space where the desktop should be... it does this every time I reset
the computer... I tried doing a reinstall, but it didn't do anything.

I would like to avoid a complete reformat if at all possible.

also, Im only using vista home basic, so its not like its anything terribly
demanding on my pc.

if anyone can give me any ideas, that would be great, because im stumped.
I've never had this happen on a pc before.
Click to expand...
 
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