Explorer not working properly

by Max Connerie Feb 3, 2009 11:28PM PST

Help. For some reason when I boot up I just get a blank screen. The Start menu has disappeared and all the icons on my desktop have gone away as well as the taskbar and the clock at the bottom of the screen. How do I get them back? I'm using XP and just downloaded the latest updates (six of which didn't work). Not sure if the latter had anything to do with it.

I've tried starting explorer using ctrl-alt-delete then running explorer, but it still doesn't work as normal. A reboot doesn't work either.

Thanks.

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Safe Mode

by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Feb 4, 2009 1:52AM PST

Try booting your computer into Safe Mode using the F8 method, instructions here.

When you get to the Safe Mode options, you have a choice of what to do. I suspect your problem is malware related, so I would boot into Safe Mode, the 1st option listed, then run your anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities from there.. Then reboot back into Normal mode, and if Explorer works, update your anti-virus and anti-malware, and scan again.

If that doesn't work, reboot into the Safe Mode options, and run the Last Known Good Configuration option.

Let us know how you get on.

Mark

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Explorer not working properly

by Max Connerie Feb 4, 2009 8:09PM PST

Thanks Mark. I tired both your suggestions but it still isn't working. I noticed that the Virus checker found a virus on a filed called ssms.exe and moved it to the vault. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the way XP works? I'm wondering whether the next thing would be to load the recovery CD -- but i'm pretty sure I don't have this as the computer is rather old.

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Re: Explorer not working properly

by Tufenuf Feb 4, 2009 8:32PM PST

Max, Go to the link below and scroll down to line 195 (right column) and download the "Restore Desktop Icons and Taskbar" vbs file fix.

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.

NOTE: If your anti-virus software warns you of a "malicious" script, this is normal if you have "Script Safe" or similar technology enabled. These scripts are not malicious, but they do make changes to the System Registry.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Tufenuf

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Thanks!

by Max Connerie Feb 6, 2009 3:15AM PST

Brilliant, this seems to have worked a treat. Thanks for your help.

Max

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Nice work

by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Feb 6, 2009 3:56AM PST

by Tufenuf and yourself, and I'm glad you got it fixed.

Mark

Explorer not working properly

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