No Task Manager

When I hit CTRL-ALT-DEL, all I get is the lower right-hand part of the dialog box. The part that says, "NEW TASK." Here is a screenshot of my computer. http://groups.msn.com/OlympusE20NGroup/scr…snw?albumlist=2

Also, when I turn on my computer, my screenwriting program, ScriptThing for Windows opens up. I think it has something to do with the .scr extension on the screenplays I have saved in the program. The computer wants to open ScritpThing instead of the screensaver.

I have a clean system after three weeks of help from Dan.

Thanks,
Johnny

Regarding the ScreenThing opening when you Boot up your machine.

Look in My Computer - Tools - View
Scroll down the list and remove the checkmark from in front of: "Restore previous folder windows at logon"
That "may" take care of one part of your problem.
Let us know if it does not.
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Regarding the problem with TaskManager…

Please do these two steps in sequence as posted

1. Run CHECKDISK
Start - Run - (type)chkdsk /f /r - Enter
You will receive a warning that CHECKDISK cannot be run due to inability to lock files or files in use.
You will be invited to allow CHECKDISK to run next time you reboot your machine.
Allow this to be scheduled.
Reboot your machine.

CHECKDISK will open during the boot-up cycle, before opening Windows
It will run a series of 5 scans.
CHECKDISK does not create a log, but if you follow along with the Scan, it alerts when it finds a "bad-cluster" and announces that it is moving the file contents to a safe known-good location on the Hard Drive disk surface.
CHECKDISK scans take between 30 - 40 minutes depending upon the size of your Hard Drive.
Note: CHECKDISK should be run multiple times if it does detect any "bad-sectors".
Please Run CHECKDISK a second and even third time until no errors/bad-sectors are identified.

2. Run Windows File Protection System File Checker
Start - Run - (type)sfc /scannow - Enter <– note the space between "c" and "/"

A black DOS type box will open briefly and then disappear before you can read its contents. That's OK.
Then the Windows File Protection progress bar will display to track progress as SFC scans.
If SFC identifies any missing or corrupted operating system files, it will alert you to insert your XP installation CD.
SFC will then copy a known good version of the missing/corrupted file from the CD and into the correct location in files.
SFC scans take about 20 to 30 minutes.
One full scan should be sufficient.
If SFC terminates within 2 or 3 minutes, then it did not complete its scan.
Please alert us to the fact, if this happens.

Please let us know if you do not have XP installation CD, as we will have to describe additional steps for a workaround.
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Reboot your machine after SFC completes.

Try out your cntrl-alt-del to bring up TaskManager.
Keep us posted with your progress.

Best Regards

I solved the screensaver problem by deleting the file msnmsnr.scr from the screenwriting program. The fix worked, I don't have ScriptThing for Windows trying to open the Microsoft Messenger screen and ScriptThing works and Messenger works. Unfortunately, the task manager problem still hasn't been solved. I ran checkdisk and SFC and both scans showed no errors or corrupted files. What now? I do have the installation CD which came with the computer. Johnny

Glad you got most of your problem sorted.

Give us a better "screen-shot" of the TaskManager.
You appear to have taken a picture with a digital camera then hosted it.

Use the "keyboard" - Alt - Prt Scrn - the open MS Paint - Edit - Paste
Save the screen-shot image and post it via the recommended online host in my signature line below.
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Since you mention having the installation CD for your Operating System, or at least a Recovery CD or DVD from the Manufacturer, I imagine you are thinking about Repair Installation?
It may come to that, but please post the better screen-shot for our investigation and recommendation, first.

Best Regards

Ok,
Here is the screenshot:
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa226/t…t143/scrsht.jpg

Johnny

Hi theort143,

This looks quite a problem but can usually be fixed fairly easily.
There are two steps in the procedure that may be neccessary to restore full functionality.
Step 1.
1 Place your cursor on the botton line of the "box" and move the cursor slightly until it changes into a double headed arrow
2 Single left click and drag out "box" to desired size
3 Repeat as required for the top line of the "box"
4 Now you have the idea you can drag the left and right side lines as required.

Note: if you now find that you have a good size task manager but there are no menu items or menu bar then you will need to do Step 2

Step 2
1 Move your cursor to the grey area at the top of the box (it looks like a grey margin) and is above "Task"
2 When you are happy the cursor is correct positioned, don't move it, but just double left click in this margin area.
3 If you have done this accurately then you should have your task manager back to normal.
Regards
paws