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View Full Version : Desktop Icons & Start Bar vanished!


sofrustrated
10-12-2005, 12:22 AM
My desktop icons and start bar have completely disappeared and I've tried to get them back, but my right click doesn't work either. However, I can sometimes pull up task manager by a doing ctrl+alt+del to do what I need.

I see several run.dll's running in the processes of the task manager and the CPU usage is at 100% almost always. When the CPU usage goes down to a lesser %, it usually crashes the computer, then it reboots itself or shows a blue screen of death for a split second and then crashes. The blue screen only stays a nanosecond, then crashes the computer, so I cannot read what it says is wrong.

I have gotten some runtime errors and the just replicate themselves several times and so quickly, that I cannot click the "ok" button fast enough to stop them from making the computer go completely berzerk and then, my computer just freezes. I've also received an error window that mentioned something about the Synaptics TouchPad having some kind of error.

What I've tried to do to fix these multiple problems so far is: system restore, fixing the registry, running antivirus programs and system mechanic, and tried to update Win XP to SP 2 (which it won't let me do) BUT nothing seems to work. :(

I am using a Compaq Presario PC notebook, running Win XP Home Edition SP1 (legit copy - although, I lost my boot disk in my last move),

Short of total reformat, I don't see any other way to fix this.

Will Microsoft or Compaq send me a copy of Win XP for free, since I lost mine? :confused:

Is there anything I can do to avoid reformatting or just throwing this thing is the garbage? I feel so helpless and frustrated!


Please help me, if you can!!! Thanks

PrntRhd
10-12-2005, 09:25 AM
Will Microsoft or Compaq send me a copy of Win XP for free, since I lost mine
I believe they will allow you to have a replacement disk if you provide the COA information on the sticker attatched to the notebook, otherwise you would have to get a new copy. The other alternative is to get a Linux distro like Knoppix or Mepis to install on the notebook.

Also, you always want to have XP fixed properly before going to an upgrade such as SP2. Messing in the Registry is dangerous for continued proper function of Windows.

mtbarbee
10-15-2005, 10:38 PM
I had the same problem after a MS update just ruined all. I couldn't get to desktop icons or start menu or task bar either. What fixed mine was going to the bios and choose last known good configuration. Believe me when I say I tried everything else. How did you get to system restore without going to desktop first? Doesn't really matter, just wondering. If you can get to task manager, you can get to a command prompt and enter this string for system restore also. %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe