Missing desktop, taskbar, task manager, start menu

So basically, a few weeks after i got Vista i tried to install Stellarium
(freeware astronomy program), which crashed my computer. I restarted, and
after typing in my password I get "My Documents" open on a black screen,
nothing else, no taskbar or desktop icons or anything. When i try to open the
"taskbar and start menu" icon in Control Panel, nothing happens. Also, when I
Ctrl-Alt-Del the usual screen comes up, but the task manager is no longer an
option, and i can't think of how to access it or my taskbar. I've installed
all the servfice packs and they haven't helped. Has anyone got any idea of
how to fix this, short of reinstalling Vista?

Its toast. Reinstall and pray that works, otherwise use your OEM
recovery disk to set it back to it's original state. The Vista install
allows for formatting your drives prior to the install and you might
very well need to use that option.

Even if you managed to recover somehow, I'd be forever wondering if
any little problem in the future weren't due to the decision not to
reinstall.

There are 2 points you have not mentioned.
1. Have you Un-installed Stellarium?
2. Have you tried a system restore gonig back to the date when every
thing was fine?

Yeah, i've uninstalled stellarium, system restored to earlier, tried
starting in safe mode etc etc. I really don't wanna lose what I have on my
computer, cause 300Gb is a lot of data to try and find again, that's why i
don't wanna format the hard drive or do a complete reinstall. I guess I may
have to just accept that I'll either have this problem forever or lose all my
data (or spend money on an external hard drive), and content myself with
sending Microsoft hatemail for everything they've done to me

hi.. i have the same problem basically. this is really annoying. i have found out a temporary solutions for this. Ctrl + Shift + Esc > New Task > explorer
However, this is not working after reboot. Any other suggestions beside formatting my pc?

Thanks

elynn

Lucky you, I don't even have a task manager. It's looking like reformatting
is the only way...