No Desktop Icon

[jlay]

I'm using XP home edition;when booting up a blank screen appears with no icons at first , they eventually appear after about 20 mins.,when I try to check emls or just connect to the eml server there is NIL response !

there is a similar NIL response with all the other icons.

I've checked all connections and wires,checked the mouse on another laptop , done a restore point back to 4 days ago , installed Regcure ( last night,after about 6 hours I managed to get an internet connection to download this registry tool thinking it would solve the problem.........I'm still trying).

Any ideas would be gratefully recieved ? :eek: John Lay ( 73yrs )

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Do you have the original XP disk that should have come with the machine John?

[Goku]

Hello John. Did you install any new software or program recently? Also, does it only show the wallpaper and nothing else? If it is, then please state so in your next post and I will try to guide you further. :)

 

-- Goku

[Seth]

Hi John.

 

The major delay in the icons appearing is likely due to a failing hard drive, or a conflict in some of your start up programs. I've also seen this issue with a corrupt background image.

 

As soon as you turn on your computer, start tapping F8 and you'll get to a boot menu. Use the arrow keys and select "Safe Mode With Networking" and press Enter. Does the computer run better in that mode?

 

Still in that mode, go to Start>Run, type in chkdsk /r (space between the K and the R) and press enter. Press "Y" at the black screen that appears. Now restart the computer and hard drive error correction will initiate.

 

[jlay]

Desktop no icons

 

After pressing F8 continuously a blue screen appears with a 'SELECT BOOT DEVICE' title with the following options :

1st Floppy Drive

IDE:Hitachi HDS72161

IDE:_NEC DUD_rw ND-3540A

followed by :up/down to move selection

ENTER to select boot device

ESC to boot using defaults

I also tried typing chkdsk/r but it wasn't recognised :confused::confused: what should i do next :confused:

[jlay]

No desktop icons

 

Hello Gocu,

I have a blank screen/wallpaper only; after considerable time ( 40 mins or more ) icons start to appear but there is no response from mouse clicks; I've managed to check add/remove after doing a system restore point to 25 June and there are no new programmes installed;I'm running WindowsXPHome :confused:

[maynardvdm]

Hi John

 

 

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

• If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.
  
• Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
  
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again. If F8 doesn't work try F5.
  
• Ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected.
  
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
  
• Log on with an account that has administrator priviledges, usually your own account (NOT the account named Administrator).
  

Run CHKDSK

• Go to Start then Run
  
• Type chkdsk /r (Note the space between the k and /)
  
• Press "Y" when the black window appear.
  
• Restart the computer.
  

Please let us know if you get stuck.

[Goku]

Hello John. I think something is running in the background that is either having a problem starting up and is timing out, and / or you have too much programs starting with Windows. Try the steps provided in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base and see if there is any improvement or not.

 

How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state

 

How to troubleshoot configuration errors by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP

 

Post back the results of the above procedures and we will instruct you further. It might as well be that you have an infection that is causing the problems but we will rule out the possibility for now. Let us know how it goes. Good Luck. :)

 

-- Goku

[RandyL]

I agree with seth on this one John. Your hard drive may be failing.

 

What ever the cause I suggest backing up everything at this point just in case before doing anything else.

[jlay]

No desktop icons

 

I got into safe mode with F5 & did as per instructions,restarted electronically,but it makes no difference.

Still very slow for icons to appear & nil response from mouse clicks.

Much faster response in safe mode.

[jlay]

no desktop icons

 

Thanks Seth,to do a data back-up I've got a 700mb cd-r , do I back-up the whole of C drive ? haven't done this before but have notes about how to do this.

I suppose i must do this first before using TRENDMICRO ? :eek:

[Guest Wolfeymole]

John

 

At the moment we are withdrawing advice with regard to HijackThis, please accept our apologies.

[Seth]

I got into safe mode with F5 & did as per instructions,restarted electronically,but it makes no difference.

Still very slow for icons to appear & nil response from mouse clicks.

Much faster response in safe mode.

 

I don't understand that John. Your last sentence contradicts the previous ones.

 

Back up any files that are important to you, such as pictures, documents, etc.