Topic: Missing icons and task bar

[JK]

Hi
I am trying to fault a pc that has lost the icons and task bar.
The system is running windows xp pro. All the software is still there
and can be accessed through windows task manager, sometimes the task bar flashes up for a second. I have tried reinstalling windows with the repair function, but it is still the same. Also tried running explore.exe,
but nothing happens. Any ideas would be most welcome.

[Clive]

Hi JK, this problem is not unheard of.  While you are waiting for an expert to come along, take a look at this:  

http://www.jmadden.info/WindowsHelp5.htm

[Sandra]

If Clives link doesnt sort it then I had a similar thing happen once and I just hit the keys out of frustration when everything came back and worked normally  :shock:

It turned out that by hitting the windows logo key it opened up the start menu and by hitting it again to close it then it seemed to correct the rest, yours may be similar  

[JK]

Hi Sandra and Clive
Have tried both your ideas,but it remains the same ,even after a reload of windows. All you get is the windows wallpaper with no task bar or icons.
Programes have to be accessed through task manager. Right click on the desktop has no effect.

[Lona]

Try this site JK.

I see there is a downloadable programme that restores taskbar and icons.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

[JK]

Hi Lona
Thank you for your help. I have found three things on the kelly korner
site:
Taskbar repair tool plus,    program
Xp taskbar desktop fixall ,   VBScript file
Nodesktop ,           registration entries
What do you think I should use ?

[Lona]

I would download the "Taskbar is missing"

And the other one listed further down called "Restore show desktop Icons"

Those are exe files so should sort out your problems.

Let us know how you get on.

[JK]

Hi Lona
I am having trouble finding the, Restore show desktop Icons exe file,
all I can find are vbs and reg ones.

[Simon]

The .vbs one seems to be a 'fixall', so pesumably you just download it and click on it, and it should run the script.  Haven't tried it myself though, so take care, and make a System Restore point before you run it.

[Simon]

Two other things you can try:

1.  Right click your desktop, hover over Arrange Icons By, then tick Show Desktop Icons.

or...

2. It may be that Explorer is not starting, so press Ctrl+Alt+Del to get Task Manager, then File > New Task (run) and type 'explorer.exe' (without the quotation marks) and see if it fires up.  If that works, then you have a problem with explorer.exe which we will need to investigate further.

[JK]

Hi Simon
The right click does nothing  and I have already tried the explorer,
is just flashes the taskbar on for a second.

[Lona]

Hi Lona
Thank you for your help. I have found three things on the kelly korner
site:
Taskbar repair tool plus,    program
Xp taskbar desktop fixall ,   VBScript file
Nodesktop ,           registration entries
What do you think I should use ?

Try downloading the Taskbar repair tool plus programme.


I would imagine it will include various fixes.



Dunno if this could maybe sort out your explorer.exe problem

http://www.pc-utility.com/registry.aspx

or

http://pcmightymax.net/cgi-bin/view.cgi/pcweb201/download.html