Windows XP: disappeared Icons
disappeared Icons
by stryvya - 4/17/09 7:40 AMjust been trying to fix granddaughter Computer (had 47 Trojans!!!) one could not be removed until reboot (used Spy-Bot) rebooted and now there are no icons on the desktop, but can get programs to run by using task manager .
any suggestions, please
also I believe there is a way of reinstalling Win XP without losing existing programs ans data, anyone know how
reply to: disappeared Icons
by caktus - 4/17/09 9:02 AM In reply to: disappeared Icons by stryvyaFirst I would try System Restore to a date/time prior to when the problem ocurred.
Another thing you might try is navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Local Settings\Application Data and delete the IconCache.db as it may have become corrupt or too large. Then restart the computer. Eventually the file will be recreated.
Before bothering with a reinstallation It may be helpful to wait a while to see if some one here can help actually fix the problem.
First thing after removing viruses, etc. always delete all back-ups that may be harboring back-ups of the viruses, etc. I would run again the scans to make sure the Trojans have not been brought back to life then delete the backups i.e. System Restore points; right click on My Computer > left click on Properties > System Restore tab > place a check mark beside "Turn off system retore on all drives" > click Apply. Then reverse the procedure to turn SR back on.
The rescue disk or Start > All Programs > System Recovery > System Recovery will offer an opportunity to perform either a Full or non-destructive system recovery. The Full will set the system back like it was when new\purchased. non-destructuve system recovery will save the personal files but loose all programs, MS Updates as well as anti-virus definitions.
There is also a System Recover with Back-up which should back-up all personal files at C:\Backup but should loose all programs, Updates, etc. But I have personally experienced the System Recovery with Backup to back-up some programs, sometimes.
I have found it very helpful to save programs or their Setup files on CD, as it is only a matter of "when" they will be needed, again, and again, and again.
Hope this is of some help.
Charlie
In addition to Charlie's post.
by MarkFlax
- 4/17/09 12:33 PM
In reply to: disappeared Icons by stryvya
Can you see the Taskbar? Or has that gone as well as the Desktop icons?
Can you get Explorer.exe to work at all? Use Task Manager, goto File > New Task (Run), and type in explorer.exe and click OK. That should bring back Explorer which is the Desktop icons and Taskbar.
If you can do that it will be easier for you to locate all the data files and back them up, in case a destructive reinstall becomes necessary. You cannot back up programs, applications, etc. I'm afraid that doesn't work, but if you have the downloaded installer files for those software apps, you can back those up and then use them to reinstall the software.
Mark
Thanks guys
by stryvya - 4/18/09 1:29 AM In reply to: disappeared Icons by stryvyawill try your suggestions later, busy for now.
Len
try this...
by fmsorigaay - 4/18/09 4:10 AM In reply to: disappeared Icons by stryvya"just rebuild or restore windows"
no no no...
1. Right-click the desktop.
2. Point to Arrange Icons By.
3. Click Show Desktop Icons.
can`t try this
by stryvya - 4/18/09 5:00 AM In reply to: try this... by fmsorigaayno left or right click available
no task bar
won`t run explorer.exe
Len
sys/restore
by stryvya - 4/18/09 5:05 AM In reply to: can`t try this by stryvyaand system restore fails to cure problem
Len
blame the kid. tell it to fix it herself since she broke it
by fmsorigaay - 4/18/09 7:58 AM In reply to: sys/restore by stryvyareboot with f8.. safe mode? Use last good settings?
I think there's a program to run that will compare your OS to what's on the windows cd and put back ones that are damaged, but I don't know the name.
check the path by typing in the PATH command in the command line window.there may be another explorer in front of the real one. retype the command without any odd looking directories that might be there
you can get to program run by holding down the windows button and hitting the letter r. cmd will get you a command line window
Safe Mode.
by MarkFlax - 4/18/09 12:55 PM
In reply to: sys/restore by stryvya
It's not looking too good and a re-install or a repair install may be the only way if the damage has run deep.
But before that, try booting into Safe Mode, instructions here.
When you get to the Safe Mode list of options select the top option, "Safe Mode" by using the arrow keys and Enter. In this mode only generic drivers load, so there is no desktop display and the graphics resolution is reduced to the lowest. But also, viruses and malware generally cannot start in Safe Mode, so they cannot block or cause more damage.
In Safe Mode, does Explorer.exe work and display both the Desktop icons and the Taskbar? If so, you have some possibilities;
1] Run your anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities in Safe Mode. They will take longer to scan.
2] See if you can access User Accounts in the Control Panel, and if so, create a new Admin User Account. It may be that your granddaughter's account profile has become corrupted. We may be able to copy her details over to a new profile later.
3] Open Internet Explorer, goto Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab, and click the Reset button. Internet Explorer is closely integrated into Windows and anything that affects IE can also affect Windows Explorer and the Desktop. These are IE Add-ons called BHOs, (Browser Helper Objects), ActiveX and 3rd party toolbars, but often they are malware infected. CLicking the Reset button on IE removes all 3rd party Add-ons and returns IE to default. Every thing is lost from IE, eg cookies history, web site passwords, etc, but that is better than having a system that doesn't work.
See if that helps.
Boot back into Normal Mode, and try the new account you created. if that works, reboot and try the old account again. Tell us what happens.
Mark
Wipe & reformat!
by bigbirdlover2001 - 4/18/09 8:33 AM In reply to: disappeared Icons by stryvyaIt takes a lot less time to wipe, pick up a free copy of wipe drive off of the 'net, boot from it, do an overwrite, then put in your windows disk and do a clean install, its a lot less hassle in the end! And everything will work. Chances are if you don't, the frustration will drive you to buy a new pc, because the problems will never totally go away. It takes about 4 hours to wipe & install, more like 4 days to try to repair, and that's if you're an expert.
RE: eply to: Wipe & reformat!
by caktus - 4/20/09 10:11 AM In reply to: Wipe & reformat! by bigbirdlover2001Reinstalling the OS it self over-wrights, and any files or fragments left behind are generally inaccessable and will be over-written as new files are created.
It is usually a good rule-of-thumb to reinstall the OS as a last resort, rather than reinstall every time something, (the inevitable) goes wrong.
"overwrite, then put in your windows disk and do a clean install, its a lot less hassle in the end!" w/o atleast attempting to repair is liken to buying a new car because a tire went flat. System trouble is just a way of life.
Charlie
Display settings
by reptar - 4/20/09 6:19 AM In reply to: disappeared Icons by stryvyaIs the machine a laptop? I know several people who had a similar problem caused by the settings for using a second monitor. Control Panel-->Display, check all settings. Same thing happened to me using Ubuntu linux when I added a LCD TV/monitor and hit the wrong button.
Good luck.
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