desk top icons not appearing on start up

[ed_two_o_nine]

Hi this is my first time posting.

 

When i start my laptop my icons do not appear. I have to bring up the task manager then do a new task and either enter explorer or desktop for the icons to appear.

Any idea on how to stop this would be a appreciated.

 

Cassian

[RandyL]

Hi ed;

It's possible that your computer is infected. An infection is the most likely cause of this behavior so I think you should try a cleanup first.

 

Your computer appears to be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

 

It is in your best interest to note the following:

1. Please disable your resident security applications (such as AVG, Spybot, WinPatrol, etc.) before performing the below procedure so that they do not interfere with the process.
   
2. Perform all the steps in the order listed to avoid any conflicts.
   
3. If unsure, please stop and voice your doubts.
   
4. You might be required to go offline during the disinfection process. Therefore, it is recommended to print off the instructions below for ease of reference.
   

If you stick to the above guidelines, all should go smoothly.

 

 

 

================================================

STEP 1

1. Download ATF-Cleaner by Atribune.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click on the file to run the program.
   
4. On the Main tab, check the Select All button.
   
5. Next, click on the Firefox tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Firefox, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
6. Now, click on the Opera tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Opera, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
7. Press the Empty Selected button and click OK to acknowledge the corresponding prompt.
   
8. Click on the Exit button to quit the program.
   

================================================

STEP 2

1. Please click here to download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. At the end, make sure a check mark is placed next to:
   1. 
      
   2. Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      
   3. Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      

[*]Click Finish.

[*]The program will download and update itself if it finds the necessity to do so. Please allow this.

[*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.

 

 

Note: Depending on your computer specifications, the scan may take some time to complete. Please wait patiently and do not interrupt the process.

[*]When the scan is complete, click OK, and then Show Results to view the results.

[*]Make sure that every entry is selected, and click Remove Selected.

[*]Restart your computer.

================================================

STEP 3

1. Please click here to download SUPERAntiSpyware (Free Version).
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. Open SUPERAntiSpyware.
   
5. Under Configuration and Preferences, click the Preferences button.
   
6. Click the Scanning Control tab.
   
7. Under Scanner Options make sure the following fields checked:

   [*]Click the Close button to leave the control center screen.

   [*]On the main screen, under Scan for Harmful Software click Scan your computer.

   [*]On the left, make sure you check mark All the Fixed Drives.

   [*]On the right, under Complete Scan, choose Perform Complete Scan.

   [*]Click Next to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.

   [*]After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click OK.

   [*]Make sure every entry has a check mark next to it and click Next.

   [*]A notification will appear that Quarantine and Removal is Complete. Click OK and then Finish to return to the main menu.

   [*]Restart your computer.

   ================================================

   STEP 4
   1. Please visit the ESET Online Scanner, using Internet Explorer to initiate the scan.
       
      Note: If you are running Windows Vista, then you will need Administrative privileges to complete the latter part of the procedure. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select the Run As Administrator option in the shell context menu.
      
   2. Check mark the YES, I accept the Terms of Use box.
      
   3. Click the Start button.
      
   4. Click the Install button on the following screen.
      
   5. Click Start. This will will initialize and update the scanner engine.
      
   6. Check mark the box beside Remove found threats.
      
   7. Click the Scan button. This will start the scan. Please be patient while it is in progress.
      
   8. Restart your computer.
      

   ================================================

   STEP 5
   1. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Restore.
      
   2. Choose the radio button marked Create a Restore Point on the first screen and click Next. Give the restore point a name then click Create. The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a note of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
      
   3. Next, click on Start > Run, type Cleanmgr and click on OK.
      
   4. Click on the More Options tab.
      
   5. Click the Clean Up button in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the most recent one.
      

   This will remove any infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in "System Restore" are protected to prevent any programs changing those files. This is the only foolproof way to ensure the deletion of those files.

    

   Note: Do not clear restore points on a regular basis as doing so will clear all previous restore points even those that you may need. System Restore is a useful tool to revert your computer back to a working condition if something goes wrong.

    

   Re-enable all your security applications and please return here and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

Close browsers before scanning
Scan for tracking cookies
Terminate memory threats before quarantining

[KenB]

Hi,

 

You can also try this:

1. Right-click the desktop.
   
2. Point to Arrange Icons By.
   
3. Click Show Desktop Icons.
   

[danzil]

may also want to try popping your xp cd in the drive (if you have one), then going to start then run type in sfc /scannow

this will scan your system for any corrupt or missing files that are needed for full stability.

hope that helps

post back if none of the above helps

regards

danzil

[ed_two_o_nine]

Further help needed

 

Fistly sorry for not getting back to you all so soon. I printed RandyL's instructions off and kept leaving them at work, and i did not want to try his solutions before printing them off. My pc knowledge is zilch and was not confident.

 

I am trying the solutions suggested by Randy L.

I have completed step 1 with no problems.

I have completed step 2 and purchased malwarebytes anti-malware

I have restarted the computer and again disabled my mcaffe firewall (will i ever need this again if i follow all these steps?)

I am follwing step three and have super antispysoftware on my desktop however ever try time i try to install i get this message 'The windows installer could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running windows in safe mode, or if the windows installer is not correctly installed contact your support personnel for assistance.

 

What am i doing wrong here? Do i have to turn further parts of Mcaffe of or is this a windows thing. Urgent help required i would like to have the pc running before the wife gets home.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Why did you buy Malwarebytes Ed?

 

Do you have Service Pack 3 installed and all Windows updates?

[ed_two_o_nine]

I thought following the instructions i had to buy malwarebytes?

How do i check i hae installed what you are suggesting though i think i probably do as the wife had to check all the latest windows stuff when installing her iphone recently

[ed_two_o_nine]

went to Microsoft download centre

 

and checked to see if i have the latest update and got the same installer error message

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Have a read of this Ed

 

How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems

[ed_two_o_nine]

ok

 

am trying to reload service pack 3 then will look at your link and let you know how it goes

[ed_two_o_nine]

right installer seems to be working

 

now that i re-installed service pack 3. I will carry on with RandyL list and come back if further advice is required.

 

Thanks

[ed_two_o_nine]

virtually everything running well now

 

I seem to have got rid off lots of spyware and malware. So I am really pleased with that. I did have a pop up coming up telling me my pc was infected on my desk top this has gone which is also good.

The only thing i can not do now is change my desktop. it is still listed when i get my desktop properties up there is a desktop listed as critical_warning which i pressure is the one from the trojan i have removed but i can not get rid of this and i can not select any of the other standard windows desk tops.

 

Also I am well pleased with this. All these modifications have been made to out laptop. I will be doing them to out home pc which is very sick again with trojans and malware i think.

 

Do you recommend i also install macaffe on my home pc or is there a very good free version you can recommend?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi ed, have a look at the free (and some paid for) products we recommend here -

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html

Nev.