Windows XP forum: My desktop has disappeared leaving nothing but wallpaper

I had put in a password, removed it (or so I thought). Hard booted computer and it asked for the password. In Safe Mode, I kept tapping F8, went to Users and selected no password. Did it again, went to Safe Mode and put password in. Don't forget the hint. Darrell L.

if possible click on the rigth click on the mouse and go arrange icon by and then click on lock web icons on the desktop,i hope that,

Thanks. Using your instructions I checked the entry Shell and it was set to explorer.exe. However, explorer would not open through New Task by typing explorer. Explorer also would not open by browsing to it's location in Accessories, nor would it open from the shortcut I had placed in the desktop folder. I can open most everything else by browsing in New Task, but all programs aren't there in System Tools, such as System Restore which I would like to try. By the way, the task bar will briefly flash as if it were trying to appear. Is there anything else I can do?

Get your XP CD handy and go to start | run sfc /scannow(with the space after sfc) choose the repair option from the four options you get, and this will reinstall any system files that are missing/corrupt directly from the disc.

If you can't access the Start | Run use the TaskManager to start CMD.EXE then run the sfc command.

Also, have you tried a system Restore? Here is a link for using it from a command prompt.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449

You didn't mention, but can you run Internet Explorer? From the command prompt try running IEXPLORE.EXE. If it too doesn't run open REGEDIT from the command prompt and try deleting these two keys (should resurect Explorer and Internet Explorer):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\iexplorer.exe

Many thanks to Edward O'Daniel, whose advice solved the problem. I found I could not run IExplorer, but not Explorer, so went to the registry, found the HKEY for that and deleted it - bingo!

I can't thank you enough, Edward!

Anna
Bath, UK

i tried deleting the things u said but they werent there wen i went to look for them
when i reboot my laptop a window pops up that says something about the application (explorer) has failed to start and i should try re installing the application. now i can run firefox but only through my task manager and i have no icons or start menu its just the wallpaper...this happened after a prompt for me to upgrade my explorer was made and i clicked ok and after it finished installing it asked me to restart , so i did and now i dont know what to do
please helpppp
plus i just had my laptop formatted..

See if you can't just copy explorer.exe off of a Windows XP cd and replace the current one, which seems to be in error state. Bring up task manager> New Task> type command.
Use the command prompt to copy explorer.exe from the XP cd to the proper directory on your PC (usually C:\WINDOWS).

Refer to this for help.
http://www.ss64.com/nt/copy.html

i've googled tons of ways to restore my desktop and ur advice is the only one that works!!! thank u sooo much!!
i was sooo worrieed that i had trojan virus or something on my laptop!!
THANK UUU!!! GOD BLESS U!

thanks buddy it worked.

Thanks to all of you. I've restored my desktop and will attempt to find the cause of it's slowness. One more to go - my daughter's computer won't even get started, and her new school semester has just started. If anyone has suggestions on this problem, I would appreciate any input. That can be found at:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6620_102-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=228990

hey plz ell me how u restored ur desktop

Everything on my HP Compaq (dxd120/dx6128)desktop has disappeared,It's running on XP Professional please help because I suspect it has been eaten out by a bad virus.I can't install anything.Your help is urgently requested.