Desktop not showing anything (no start button, toolbar, icons, etc.)

Friday before I left for the day programs just suddenly started
erroring out and then i got a BSOD. I had to go home, so i just let
it reboot itself and left for the day. Came in this morning and it
looks like it was trying to do a scandisk over the weekend (which only
takes a few minutes) and was stopped on part 2 of 3...

so, i shut it down, started it up and let it go through it again
(which it accomplished)...but, once it started up again I could login,
but had no desktop icons, no start bar, nothing. I can do a CRTL +
ALT + DEL to bring of the task manager, but that is it. I can also
login using safe mode, but I can't see anything in there either.

It seemed like Explorer.exe process wasn't running, but when I tried
to start it (Task Manager > New Task) it wouldn't start (once it shut
down again)...

The last thing i did before it had problems was install the new Itunes
8 and was moving stuff to my iPod...

I just want to get to a system restore window and take it back to
Friday Morning (or get in and uninstall iTunes)...

Any ideas?

The iTunes update to version 8 had a incompatible
driver in it for those using Vista.
Today iTunes put out a new version of #8,you need to
first uninstall iTunes along with the Apple Mobile
Device Support also before downloading the newer version.

You may need to go into SafeMode to uninstall iTunes
or to do a system restore back to before the iTunes
download.

If you do a google search for iTunes 8 problems you'll
find alot of posts about the problem.

thanks for the reply, but i am posting here not because i don't know
how to uninstall a program - but because i don't know how to get into
control panel / add/remove programs when i can't see the start button,
task bar, icons, etc...

i can't even do it in safe mode! there is absolutly NOTHING when i
boot up except for a blank desktop...

plesae help me get to system restore / add remove...

try pressing *windows* button to the right of the left Ctrl button .

i tried that...nothing...

there is nothing on the desktop, no start menu, no my computer,
nothing...the only thing i can do is ctrl + alt + del which gives me
no way of running it...

You can do ctrl+alt+delete, bring up the Task Manager, do New Task and type
Control Panel - yes, it's that easy.

I had exactly the problem you describe and had to send it to a computer
technician who discovered a virus or trojan (not sure which) and eradicated
it with a virus removing program. I would therefore recommend that you
update your antivirus program and run a thorough check, then try Trend Micro
Housecall (you can start Firefox presumably, using the Task Manager) and run
that to the end of its scan.

System restore (task manager, new task,
c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe)

Downloading the program Malwarebytes and scanning your computer with that,
if your normal antivirus program hasn't detected an infection.

i've got the same problem, when i log on i see only my background and my mouse. i have changed in 2 days for 4 times windows because i was thinking he needs a formating but nothing problem still appear.after 3 times or more when i din;t see nothing then in another start of windows everything is normal. i relly don't understand..i tried also repair windows or system restore or new drivers. i was thinking it was a virus or a errorin system. what is the worst is that in some moments when i have the "luck" to get on my notebook makes some noices, is the sound like in error but nothing appear. What it can be? some friend told me is bios problmes or RAM memory is damaged. what do you think?

My Computer says there was an unauthorized change made to windows
Then it says Windows will be limited functioning
It shows me something that says learn more online so i click that
then it takes me to a site Windows Vista Genuine Validation Results
there telling me steps to fix my cpu but i need the start button which is not showing up on my cpu or the desktop either

When you Right-Mouse click on the desktop, do you get a menu?
If so, in the menu is "Arrange Icons" and option?
If so, when you select Arrange Icons", is "Show Icons" checked?
If not, check it.
When you move your mouse to the very bottom of the screen does the task bar appear?
If not, does it appear when your move the mouse to one of the edges or top?

The Start button is a part of the Taskbar which is a part of explorer.exe.
Now click Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open the Task Manager and see if explorer.exe
is running. If it isn't, then it may have been disabled by malware.

Run a spyware/virus scan and then try creating a new user account, since
your old one may be corrupted.

If your Start button and Taskbar are missing, there are no desktop
icons, only your wallpaper is showing, your mouse cursor moves and you
can CTRL+ALT+DEL to invoke Task Manager, check the Processes tab to
see if explorer.exe is running.

If explorer.exe is not running, it needs to be. explorer.exe "is"
your desktop. Malware can keep it from starting/running.

In Task Manger, click File, New Task and in the Open box, type:
explorer.exe
Click OK.

That should get you going, but your system is not fixed.

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:
They can be uninstalled later if desired.
After the scans, troubleshoot any remaining issues.

[mattimias]

I also have the same problem,but even worse.I run Vista.
The program downloaded showed this:
Diagnostic Report (1.9.0011.0):
-----------------------------------------
WGA Data-->
Validation Status: Invalid License
Validation Code: 50

Cached Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0x80070426
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-27HYQ-XTKW2-WQD8Q
Windows Product Key Hash: U8YEZzymoD4DMyaMb32rPrNIS90=
Windows Product ID: 89578-OEM-7332157-00061
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003
ID: {27BF4C0E-5876-453D-9B04-9F73C21A1C52}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
WGA Version: Registered, 1.9.9.1
Signed By: Microsoft
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 6000.vista_ldr.090805-0102
TTS Error: M:20091223133218966-
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

WGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 100 Genuine
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3
-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_E2AD56EA-765-d003_E2AD56EA-766-0_E2AD56EA-134-80004005_70AFE6BE-
656-80070057_E2AD56EA-815-80070057

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\kernel32.dll[6.0.6000.16820]


Licensing Data-->
Software Licensing service is not running.

HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: MAAAAAEAAAABAAEAAgABAAAAAwABAAEAJJT2/eRzYsFUVeJs8vQIyoYarFYzkcwx

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20000
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC HPQOEM SLIC-CPC
FACP HPQOEM SLIC-CPC
HPET HPQOEM SLIC-CPC
MCFG HPQOEM SLIC-CPC
OEMB HPQOEM SLIC-CPC
GSCI HPQOEM SLIC-CPC
SLIC HPQOEM SLIC-CPC
SSDT HPQOEM SLIC-CPC

So can anyone please help me?I cant access anything except Windows Explorer.Not even the Task Manager.

i have a trick for the people who are facing problem "Desktop not showing on startup/Sys Loads.

Try This trick: Restart your system, when system load and blue screen appear open TASK MANAGER (Ctrl + Alt + Del), Now select NEW TASK option, in the text box write there EXPLORER and OK. Problem Solved...

I would not say that is a solution - maybe a work-around. If it happens
again - you will have to do it again. It should not be happening at all.

[alshidhani]

There are some ways to solve this problem.
- First if u want to see desktop, just press Ctrl+alt+del to get task manager
then add new task, then press brows, the choose what you want, some time
when you write control panel in new task, the problem will solve temproray.
- Second way, you have make checking using cd of windows by using this commandL
CHKDSK /R
-Third way , formatting you pc.!!

Hi Friends, I have a trick for your Problem which works 100%... Try This..

Please Don't forget to Comments & Rate...

[djane.gonzaga]

thank you. this helped. :) God bless

[notpcsavvy]

Hi, I was having a similar problem! I have tried opening in all the safe mode options and which ever one i select I cant do a single thing but move my mouse. I cant open explorer or task manager. I was able to before to open internet etc but not it doesnt even show my desktop wallpaper, its just the hp blue screen. please help! What can I do? I cant open control panel or anything to run scans or cmd.exe. :(

[Centaurs]

This is because your explorer.exe is corrupted. And the common reason for that is virus. You can test the same by click on File > New. In the box type explorer.exe. If it appears and goes back fast then it is corrupted and only way to fix it is by installing clean Windows back again. Anyhow you can fix the same if you can access your Windows directory. In C:\Windows the application explorer.exe is located. You just need to rename this file in any name example mydesktop.exe. Then modify the registry entry by typing regedit in Task Manager > New > regedit. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon. In this on the right side look for Shell. Open it and rename explorer.exe to mydesktop.exe.. Reboot and try back.

[notpcsavvy]

Hey, I renamed the exe then restarted my pc but when I went back there it was named back to explorer.exe so not sure if I missed a step here. How do i get a clean version of windows? Or what is best way to fix this? Thanks

[SUpER CoP]

Originally Posted by notpcsavvy

Hey, I renamed the exe then restarted my pc but when I went back there it was named back to explorer.exe so not sure if I missed a step here. How do i get a clean version of windows? Or what is best way to fix this? Thanks

You can do one thing, download TweakUI from here, install it, click Start>Run, and type in TWEAKUI now click ok, in the window that pops up, click on Repair, now click on the down arrow in the right hand pane, make sure Rebuild Icons is selected, now click Repair Now, Click OK, then Reboot, all should be well then.

[Inspectorgadget]

explorer.exe is corrupted.
And the common reason for that is virus. You can test the same by click on File > New. In the box type explorer.exe. If it appears and goes back fast then it is corrupted and only way to fix it is by installing clean Windows back again. Anyhow you can fix the same if you can access your Windows directory.
In C:\Windows the application explorer.exe is located.
You just need to rename this file in any name example mydesktop.exe.
Then modify the registry entry by typing regedit in Task Manager > New > regedit. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon.
In this on the right side look for Shell.
Open it and rename explorer.exe to mydesktop.exe..
this worked after we discovered we had a Trojan,
restore point NoGo,
SP3-No help,
creating another hard drive from another replica workstation, and copying over
Data,
Best to keep a ghost backup or Acronis if you can on external HD or DL-DVD-RW,