Desktop and taskbar has disappeared...

Question

My computer is a Dell Dimension 2400. Running on xp

A couple of weeks ago my desktop and taskbar disappeared on my account which was computer admin, (the other 3 accounts were limited). You can't right-click to refresh, or drag the taskbar up, it just isn't there. The only way of using my account was through the task manager. So I went downstairs on to another computer in my house and searched the net for help on how to fix the problem. I found that nothing worked, (that includes: going onto the control panel and checking the taskbar and start menu. and many other methods that were suggested on the net). So i restored my system to an earlier date. And that seemingly fixed the problem.

This morning the desktop (all the icons etc) and taskbar had disappeared again. I went to restore the system to an earlier date (again) but there were no checkpoints, or whatever you want to call them. So i went through the ways of fixing it that i found on the net, and nothing worked. So I went on to the control panel on my account through the task manager and made one of the other accounts computer admin, so i could try and find a way of solving the problem faster without doing everything through the task manager. So i logged onto the account i had just made an admin and found that the taskbar and desktop had disappeared on that account too. I tried the other 2 accounts which were limited and the desktop and taskbar WAS there and they were functioning as they should be. So that meant the 2 accounts with the desktop and taskbar missing were computer admins, and the 2 accounts with everything going fine on them were limited accounts.

I went to the account i had made admin earlier on and changed my account to a limited one, and guess what...the taskbar and desktop appeared again. BUT im now restricted on a limited account, which i don't want to stay on because I'm the only person on my computer 95% of the time. The other account remains an admin as i have to have at least one account as an admin. My account is still limited. And i have tried changing it back to admin but the taskbar and desktop just disappears again so I've put it back to limited.

Please could you offer some solution to the problem because i need my account as computer admin to get full use out of my computer. Obviously i can carry on as a limited account but it isn't very convenient, and some programs (mainly games) wont function anymore, they may work after being reinstalled but id rather not do that just yet.

Thanks for any help you may be able to give me.

starman99 · Answer

I cannot explain what is causing your problem but have you checked your Display Properties tabs to see what is going on there, particularly Themes?

themongoose123 · Answer

I don't think that has anything to do with the problem...and nothing out of the ordinary seems to be going on there. Would reinstalling xp fix the problem? I couldn't actually find the disk when i was going to do it, but i don't think its a very good idea as there's no reason why it wouldn't happen again. It said on a website that there's no official reason for the problem. I have come to the conclusion that xp is generally a bit s**t

Masterofall · Answer

Hi,
Gosh that was a big post but thats good enough coz no more questions and just answer,
I am giving out two solutions try the first one first...lol

1. Put in your XP cd in your top most drive(dont worry u wont be loosing anything from the computer). Restart the computer, move into your BIOS, make CD rom the first boot device(if you dont know how to do that, post a reply and i will tell you how to do that) Now Boot from the CD and when the computer is finished with loading the files press

a)'R' to repair windows using recovery console. When in recovery console run the command "chkdsk /r" This should resolve the issue.

b)'Enter' to install, then press 'F8' and then press 'R' to repair windows(u would be loosing the my documents folder')

themongoose123 · Answer

I don't know how to 'move into your BIOS, make CD rom the first boot device.' I don't even know what that means. Just out of interest how do you know this will work? what if it doesn't work? what if it happens again, and is there anything I can do to stop it happening again (assuming it does work)?? Sorry for asking so many questions but I don't wanna accidently mess up my computer or anything like that. Post back soon please. Cheers.

themongoose123 · Answer

Message Edited by themongoose123 on 03-31-2004 03:14 PM

starman99 · Answer

Given the level of your knowledge it would not be a good idea to use the Recovery Console without some more expert help at the pc (friend or acquaintance?). Use of the console is considered "Advanced", which really means "Intermediate". When undergoing system restores and repairs, dialogs may appear that are different to Help or other instructions and unless you know what they mean you could get into trouble. If desperation sets in you may have no choice but to proceed on your own. At least you have another pc to obtain emergency help!

There are no guarantees any particular procedure will work given the complexity of pc hardware and software. You try the simple solutions first. Unfortunately you have not got any of those yet in this forum.

A standard pc should not require going into the BIOS to boot off the Windows cd (or other boot disk). Normally the BIOS is set up to look at the cd/dvd drive first to see if there is a bootable disk in it. If no disk, the pc would then boot from the hard drive which is what normally occurs.

starman99 · Answer

I found an item on the Net which seems to partly fit your situation but does not explain why it is occurring. It requires a registry edit (regedit.exe) which can be a fairly hazardous experience.

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBA/tip0000/rh0065.htm

"By default, if your shell crashes (Explorer.exe), it will automatically restart. If your shell crashes (icons/Taskbar disappear) and your must logoff/logon to restore them, edit the following Registry entry:

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

Look at AutoRestartShell (a REG_DWORD) in the right hand pane. If it is 0 (do not restart), set it to 1(automatically restart) "

I cannot vouch for this. I checked my pc which shows the setting as "1". You or bro could at least check the value.

BTW I should have added in the previous response that the BIOS is a small program that resides in a chip on your motherboard that initially starts up the pc. You access the setup with a hotkey (such as Del) during the initial startup. The hotkey is shown on the brief startup screen and would also be in the motherboard handbook. Providing you do not change anything and leave the Setup without saving (discard changes), there is no harm in looking. Windows startup would follow exit from the BIOS Setup.

themongoose123 · Answer

I haven't fixed the old problem yet, and I wasn't sure if i should make a new topic for this as it could be related i don't have a clue- because i have a new problem!

I restarted my computer for god knows what reason, but nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Then i get this screen telling me to choose in 30 seconds how i want to start my computer the options are: safe mode, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt, last known good configuration (your settings that last worked), start windows normally. I have chosen each of those and it all goes back to the blue screen with white writing....

It reads like this:

A problem has been detected

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

it then goes on to say if it's the first time you've seen this stop error screen restart the computer. (you can't do anything else anyway except switch it off, so that's what i did). Then it goes on to say if you have seen this message before then start your computer in safe mode (which i tried!) and make sure everything is installed properly etc etc.

Well no matter what i do i just seem to keep coming back to that blue screen and the only option there is to just press to power button and try and start again or keep it off as the case is now.

It also says, and i don't know if this is any use to any of you but it definitely doesn't mean anything to me.... ps all letters seem to be capitals on the blue screen but aren't as tall as the numbers so I didn't know if the x was an X or not. lol. i should really learn more about computers...

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

*** STOP: 0X000000ED (0X823D8C08, 0XC0000006, 0X00000000, 0X00000000)

I hope someone can help. If any of you think so i'll make this into a new topic. I'm really pi$$ed off at the moment because i only got this computer in november 2003 and I'm not even able to get on to my (newly limited) account. or anyone elses account for that matter.

now even more pi$$ed off 'cause i found out you can't swear in posts!

starman99 · Answer

It's fairly clear that your system files are damaged (such as by virus) and that the problem is not going to disappear. You can try booting from your Windows cd as has been previously noted. If the cd is not being read on startup, you may have to go into the BIOS as Masterofall suggested. Even if you get running, you are still looking at repair or reinstallation of Windows. If you get up running, save all your vital personal files to cd, floppy etc before trying any repairs.

Suggestions have been made and cautionary warnings given. You either get help at your pc or take the risk of trying to repair Windows yourself.

Windows General

Desktop and taskbar has disappeared...

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