[Resolved] Desktop has Vanished

Since this issue appears to be resolved … this Topic has been closed. Glad we could be of assistance. If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread. Everyone else please begin a New Topic.

This topic has been reopened by request of the starter of this topic. Or it has been moved to the correct forum

Hello again and thanks for re-opening the topic.

I wasnt on my computer for a few days after my last post, i came back to find the the topic closed, but the problem hasnt been resolved.

After creating a clean restore point, you posted these instructions:-

Double-click My Computer.
Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Check "Hide file extensions for known file types."
Under the "Hidden files" folder, Uncheck "Show hidden files and folders."
Check "Hide protected operating system files."
Click Apply, and then click OK.

Ok, but because i have no desktop and no icons i cant access the 'My computer' window, therefore i cant gain access to the tools menu or anything following. Is there anyway to access this menu through Task manager, or an alternate way of doing this?

You're help has been greatly appreciated. Thank you.

In Task Manager, do you have Explorer.exe running?

If it's running, End process on it.

Open your Task Manager.(alt / ctrl /del) Click File and select New Task (Run…)

Then type explorer.exe to start it.


If you have DSL or Cable, follow these instructions:

1. Ctrl+Alt+Delete>File>New Task (Run…)

2. Type: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.reg

3. Click Ok and it will prompt to download shellfix.reg file

4. Click "Run" or Open file. Do not save it on your desktop, or anywhere on the computer.

5. After it runs, reboot your computer and the problem will be gone

If you do not have DSL or Cable:

Follow these steps: ftp://ftp.f-secure.com/anti-virus/tools/shellfix.txt

The shellfix.txt repairs the corrupted explorer.exe

Explorer.exe wont start. When i typed it in, 'explorer.exe' would flash breifly in the processes tab and disappear. The startup bar across the bottom would also flash once. I followed your instructions but when i typed it in i would just get an error message 'windows cannot find….make sure its spelt correctly'

See if either of these will work 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click Display, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop. 3. Select Restore Defaults 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2. Double-click Display, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop. then click the web tab, then under the web pages to display on your desktop if it has "security" you uncheck this and delete

You gave me this advice at beggining of the thread. Since the 'start' menu at the bottom is gone, i cant get into control panel as i don't know how to access it from Task manager.

You gave me this advice at beggining of the thread.

Since the 'start' menu at the bottom is gone, i cant get into control panel as i don't know how to access it from Task manager.

try: Open your Task Manager.(alt / ctrl /del) Click File and select New Task (Run…)
type in Control Panel. Then follow:

2. Double-click Display, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop.
3. Select Restore Defaults


2. Double-click Display, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop.
then click the web tab, then under the web pages to display on your desktop
if it has "security" you uncheck this and delete

Or Try it in Safe Mode

Restart your computer in Safe Mode.

Press F8 after the Power-On Self Test (POST) is done. If the Windows Advanced Options Menu does not appear, try restarting and then pressing F8 several times after the POST screen.
Choose the Safe Mode option from the Windows Advanced Options Menu then press Enter.
This can take several miniutes to load.

Typing 'Control Panel' in task manager dosent work. I just went into safe mode and its pretty much the same deal. Just a black screen, cant access control panel.

Please copy the contents of the following quote box into Notepad: Don't forget to add the REGEDIT4

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"WallpaperStyle"=-
"Wallpaper"=-
"NoDispBackgroundPage"=-
"NoDispAppearancePage"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"Wallpaper"=-
"WallpaperStyle"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoActiveDesktopChanges"=-
"NoActiveDesktop"=-
"NoSaveSettings"=-
"ClassicShell"=-
"NoThemesTab"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop]
"NoChangingWallPaper"=-

Save it to your desktop as fixme.reg

Then, locate fixme.reg on your desktop and it.

You will receive a prompt similar to: "Do you wish to merge the information into the registry?".

Answer 'Yes' and wait for a message to appear similar to "Merged Successfully"

Reboot.

I did what you said. Still no desktop. That got rid of my wallpaper though and replaced it with a blue screen.

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager.
2. On the File menu, click New Task (Run).
3. Type cmd.exe, and then press ENTER.

At the prompt type in: CD\ tap enter.
At the prompt type in: cd\windows\system32 tap enter
At the prompt type in: ren shdocvw.dll shdocvw.old.

Restart the computer.

If that still didn't work try this:

Unplug your network connection first.

.(alt / ctrl /del) Click File and select New Task (Run…)
type in Msconfig
Open the Startup tab.
Make a note of everything that is checked
Now Uncheck everything and reboot.

If that gives you your desktop back, click Start> Run and type in msconfig.

Now you can re-check the items that were checked before one or 2 at a time, rebooting after each change to see which one / ones are causing the issues.

Neither of those worked, still nothing.

Any other ideas? Thanks