No Start button task bar or desktop items

[vespaguy]

Hi all I have no start button taskbar no desktop items. They are all there when I start my pc but after 5 mins or so they vannish. All i can see is my background picture. I can only get on a webpage from hitting ctrl alt del then browse and select destop then activate my web browser. any help would be great thanks in advance.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

No Start button task bar or desktop items

 

Hello Vespaguy

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help

 

Right click on an empty area of the screen, hover the mouse over "Arrange Icons by" and make sure Show Desktop Icons is ticked.

Also hover the mouse down at the very bottom of the screen and see if it changes to a double headed arrow, hold the left mouse button down and drag it up if it does.

[vespaguy]

nothing happens when i right click mouse on the desktop and the same with trying to pull up the taskbar.

 

Forgot to say pc is running very very slow

[Poconos]

One of the taskbar options is autohide and wondering if something could have messed up there. Right click in any blank area of the taskbar and bring up properties. If autohide is checked, uncheck and see what happens. When the mouse is moved away from the taskbar area the bar hides and frees up a little more screen space. Bringing the mouse at the bottom makes it reappear. At least that's the way it's supposed to work.

Al

[help4me]

Vespaguy, what operating system are you using?

[Seth]

I would suggest you run a cleanup and check for malware. If that doesn't work, SuperAntiSpyware has repair utilities to correct issues such as yours.

 

In the following tutorial, download and install the suggested scanners, then run them from Safe Mode. You access Safe Mode by repeatedly tapping F8 as soon as you turn on the computer. Hopefully, your icons will remain in safe mode. For the Eset online scan, you will need to use Safe Mode with Networking.

 

-------------------------------

 

Your computer could be infected with Malware.

 

Malware is the term used to describe computer infections such as Adware, Spyware, Viruses, and Trojan Horses.

You will need to run at least two malware scanners as well as an Antivirus scanner that are listed in the following instructions.

Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus scanners perform different tasks.

The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something.

 

The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection.

Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 30 and 90 minutes.

The Eset online scan should take between 1 and 3 hours.

In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer.

 

For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page

To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below.

From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range"

click the Selection choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware.

 

http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/printer-selection.gif

 

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Follow these instructions carefully.
  
• Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove "junk" files from your computer that may contain malware.
  
• You can also download it from Majorgeeks.com
  
• When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main.
  
• For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox
  
• NOTE: If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored
  
• Then click on "Empty Selected".

http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner01.gif . http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner02.gif

 

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from SUPERAntiSpyware.com - AntiAdware, AntiSpyware, AntiMalware!
  • Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files.
    
  • You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next.
    
  • You can leave the automated check for updates on.
    
  • You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information.
    
  • DO NOT allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings.
    
  • On the Top Left select the Scan your computer button.
    
  • Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all Fixed Drives.
    
  • Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" and reboot the computer when prompted to do so.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from this link.
  
• Malwarebytes - click to directly download the application
  
• Accept all defaults for the installer and then click on the Quick Scan and click Next.
  
• If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer.

• Disable your internet security by right clicking on its icon (usually located in the system tray next to the time display) and choosing "Exit", "Disable", or "Shut Down".
  
• Run an online scan with Eset from Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner
  
• You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan.
  
• Accept the terms and click "Start".
  
• Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications".
  
• Click "Start" to begin the scan.
  
• When completed restart your computer

Make sure your internet security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted.

[Jack Hackett]

Go here

Troubleshooting Windows XP, Tweaks and Fixes for Windows XP

scroll down to Line 195 - right hand side for a fix

Restore Desktop Icons and Taskbar

 

To use the VBS Files: Download .vbs file and save it to your hard drive (you may want to right click and use Save Target As). Double

click the vbs file. You will be prompted when the script is done.

===

 

If that works, then great, but do NOT forget to do the security scans for malware etc etc, see Seths post above ;)

Edited April 7, 2008 by Jack Hackett

[Rusty]

Sounds to me like the the Vundo Trojan.

 

Edit:

Link Removed:

Reason: Own Site Spamming

[RandyL]

Hi everyone;

I would totally agree that this computer is infected and probably multiple infections. Our malware removal process will almost always clean 100% of them. After it's cleaned the damage will most likely need to be repaired as Jack Hackett and seth stated.

 

Rusty, although this computer may have the Vundo Trojan there is no indication of that based on the symtoms. Vundo typically causes popups such as false security warning popups. Nothing of that nature was posted.

 

vespaguy, you show all the classic signs of multiple infections so I highly suggest you stick with following our malware removal process.

 

RandyL

[Rusty]

Hi everyone;

I would totally agree that this computer is infected and probably multiple infections. Our malware removal process will almost always clean 100% of them. After it's cleaned the damage will most likely need to be repaired as Jack Hackett and seth stated.

 

Rusty, although this computer may have the Vundo Trojan there is no indication of that based on the symtoms. Vundo typically causes popups such as false security warning popups. Nothing of that nature was posted.

 

vespaguy, you show all the classic signs of multiple infections so I highly suggest you stick with following our malware removal process.

 

RandyL

From my experience even without ads the vundo trojan can be visible. a good program to use too help you get rid of the malware will be Malware bytes Ainti Malware. This can be found here MajorGeeks.Com - Contacting Download Site

[AdvancedSetup]

Yes Rusty thank you. Please see the above posts which already direct the user to use that product.