No desktop, task bar-nothing. Help needed.

Question

My son has a Dimension 3000.  He lost his desktop a couple of months ago but never told anyone so a system restore wouldn't work(if we could even get in there) He can only get into FireFox by control/alt/delete and clicking on new task and then browsing for Firefox.(only a few entries show up while browsing. Fortunately Firefox is one)  We can't figure out how to restore.  I have been searching on here for a while and trying all suggestions to no avail.  We can not access 'control panel' or 'my computer'  Nothing happens when right clicking the desktop area.  Nothing happens when starting the computer-holding F11. No start menu shows when hitting the Windows button. What else can we try?   Thanks so much.

tomron · Answer

Try system restore in safe mode.   Tom

likry2000 · Answer

We tried that but nothing happened after selecting safe mode. Sounded like computer was starting but not-mouse/keyboard didn't work to sign onto computer. My son did tell me that this all happened when he received an expiration notice of a McAfee trial he had been using.

Message Edited by likry2000 on 09-24-2007 04:01 PM

Message Edited by likry2000 on 09-24-2007 04:01 PM

Message Edited by likry2000 on 09-24-2007 04:03 PM

tomron · Answer

If I'm reading this right you are able to boot up in normal mode,but are having difficulties with safe mode.

Try this start>run>services.msc>highlight system restore services>in left pane click restart the sevice.

If that doesn't work try this.

Start>run>c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

All of the above can be accomplished whether in safe or norm mode.

This link is for using safe mode.

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_perform_a_system_restor.htm

If problem persists you might consider breaking out the cd and start from scratch.

Tom

Message Edited by tomron on 09-24-2007 05:28 PM

likry2000 · Answer

No access to start menu-no taskbar. He can get on FireFox after signing on by going to control/alt/delete and clicking on new task and browsing but only a very few things show up there.  We have no access to control panel or my computer.  We tried the CD but it won't start on its own and we can't get to the  drives to start it. Might there be a command we can type into the new task browsing that could get things going? When we went into safe mode his keyboard and mouse wouldn't work.

tomron · Answer

I forgot,when using F8,try last known good config,I know,its a long shot,but give it a try.

Windows General

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