All of desktop gone except wallpaper

Well, I'm really at an end for things to try. The log above doesn't really say much to me. Other than there are probably some missing or corrupt files. Its my suggestion that we work on getting your data backed up off that hard drive so that we have the freedom to do what is necessary to get your computer up and running again. I'm sure you would like that huh?

….just when I was looking forward to becoming a Silver Member on sheer number of posts……. OK, lemme see what my resources are on backup.

First, this note:
It will likely take me a couple more days to deal with the backup, so, whoever's monitoring, please don't close the thread. Thanks.


Now, this matter:
Files are easy, but I have some programs that I suppose have settings or entries or history, and I don't necessarily know how to save those.
For instance:
Address book and old e-mails in Incredimail, which I used to use.
Ditto in OE
Pix in Picasa 3. I'm not sure whether that program stores pix itself or just catalogs them from elsewhere in the HD
Docs and Settings preserves Favorites in IE, yes? But how about FF?
How about desktop?

I may remember others as I go.

Should I start a new thread for help in these?

The thread will not close. We don't close threads here at WhatTheTech unless there is an issue or it is a malware thread. The information for backing up what you are looking at is readily available on the internet.. Please google for phrases like: how to back up outlook express address book how to back up favorites in internet explorer how to back up favorites in firefox how to back up my desktop how to back up pictures in Picasa. Anyways, you get the picture.

Hey — less than two months! (A lot has gone on). What I finally did was buy an external HD. Couldn't install Acronis and simply copy the C drive; the plugged-in drive got labelled E and did not appear as one of the right-click choices under Send To….ended up copy/pasting each major folder of C drive, more or less. Anyhow, I am backed up (I sure hope!) Ready to try fixing or reinstalling Windows and programs, if y'all are still out there. Denno

On advice from appleoddity, posting this message in the thread: About two months ago my assignment was to get backed up in preparation for a Windows repair attempt. I ended up, after a very busy interlude in life, paste/copying the folders from the C drive to an external drive. Then, reviewing the thread, I noticed a Ztruker post about installing a new HD as master, installing Windows, reinstalling old HD as slave, and moving/accessing everything from there before trying the repair/reinstall of Windows. Seems to make a lot of sense. Wonder what I had my mind on at the time? Anyway, possibly six-of-one? If you are available, I'd like to go on with this process. Thanks, Denno

I'm back from vacation and the Apple dude is always around Onward!

Very good — glad to hear from you. I wasn't sure if the thread was still sending out e-mail notifications. Wot's your thought – any possible advantage to the install-a-fresh internal HD per your earlier post — or figure I'm as backed up as I am gonna get and time to proceed with the repair?

'Nother member has just rung in, by private message, says this: _______________________________________ My puter was doing the same thing so I went surfing for answers on google searches. I was tring everything and nothing was working. Then a guy wrote that he had a laptop that was working and he had just copied c:\windows\explorer.exe on to a USB flash drive from his laptop and then plugged it into his desktop and started explorer.exe from there. It worked for him, and when I did this it worked for me also. as soon as I started explorer.exe on the flash drive my whole desktop came back. From there I just pasted explorer.exe into c:\windows from "My Computer" window. Now computer workd just fine. Lastly I just want to add that these guys at WhattheTech have done a super job every time they ahve helped me, so you might ask them before doing this. ___________________________________ Possibly I could try this, working from a copied HD from a couple years ago. Can't imagine any harm in it. If I can figure out how to do that…..

OK, y'all. I am back from my whirlwind out of town adventures, back at my desk , and ready to proceed. I have little idea who-all is subscribed to this thread at present or how much is on your various plates. Let's say tonight I will attempt the suggestion in the previous post, and if that isn't the miracle cure I assume next is a Windows repair attempt. Anybody out there and available to tackle this?