computer trouble

Hi,
I'm having problems with my computer,and was hoping someone on the forum will be able to help. All of my icons on my desktop have vanished !! I can still reach my programs by going into the start menu...but I can no longer access them through the desktop.I've tried to type in explorer.exe which is supposed to solve the problem but it hasn't.When I type explorer.exe it opens up My Documents ???
also now when I use sonar,I can no longer use the 'open recent project' menu,as its now blacked out !! Any ideas ?!!
Thanks
Kev
 
 

hi,
I'm using XP ! So it might be a corrupt user file ? Haven't a clue what that is,but it sounds nasty ! I'll check out the link u gave me,thanks
Kev
 

Are you sure you're logged into Windows under your normal user name? Each profile has its own desktop, so logging in as, say, Administrator will get you a whole new desktop that lacks the icons you've set up under your own name.

Desktop shortcuts are stored in c:\documents and settings\user_name\desktop. Open that folder in Windows Explorer and see if you have a bunch of files there, most with .lnk or .url extensions. If they're still there, you haven't actually lost anything.

bitflipper


Are you sure you're logged into Windows under your normal user name? Each profile has its own desktop, so logging in as, say, Administrator will get you a whole new desktop that lacks the icons you've set up under your own name.

Desktop shortcuts are stored in c:\documents and settings\user_name\desktop. Open that folder in Windows Explorer and see if you have a bunch of files there, most with .lnk or .url extensions. If they're still there, you haven't actually lost anything.

 
Hi,
I've found a NT user,and a NT user dat,but thats all ? Nothing with .url extensions there.Humm don't you just love computers lol,thanks
Kev

 

With windows xp, have you tried the system restore feature?  It may restore your desktop, MY DOCUMENTS folder within your profile (see the Documents and Settings folder to find your profile).  The bad news could be that if you don't move files created/saved to the desktop or MY DOCUMENTS folder since your problems started, they will disappear.  Move these files to the root of the C drive, for example, then do the system restore, restoring the system to a date/time prior to when the issues started.  When this process is done, it should tell you whether it was successful. If it fails, try it again via Safe Mode.  This may brings things back to "a day when things were perfect".

When you power up your computer, you enter Safe Mode in different ways, depending on the brand of computer.  I know that on Dell computers, for example, you power up the PC, and before the windows xp splash screen comes up, start press the F8 key a few times.  Some other brands may use the same key.  This should get you to the Advanced Boot Options screen.  Once there, hit the down arrow to highlight Safe Mode.  Then hit the ENTER key.  When Safe Mode finishes loading, click Start, Help, type in restore mode and from there follow the instructions to select a date prior to your incident.  First find out what key gets you to the Advance Boot Options screen.  Good Luck

kdrummer54


When you power up your computer, you enter Safe Mode in different ways, depending on the brand of computer.  I know that on Dell computers, for example, you power up the PC, and before the windows xp splash screen comes up, start press the F8 key a few times.  Some other brands may use the same key.  This should get you to the Advanced Boot Options screen.  Once there, hit the down arrow to highlight Safe Mode.  Then hit the ENTER key.  When Safe Mode finishes loading, click Start, Help, type in restore mode and from there follow the instructions to select a date prior to your incident.  First find out what key gets you to the Advance Boot Options screen.  Good Luck

Hi
I have tried using F8 at start up.Instead of giving me a system restore option though,it asks me which device I'd like to boot the computer up ( or which drive).I think to be honest mate I'm better of takng it to a shop - I'll only make matters worst if I start messing around with things like this !! Thanks for your post anyway !!
Kev
 

kdrummer54


Who is the manufacturer of the computer?

Hi.Sorry I didn't get back to you,I've been pretty busy.I bought the computer from Carrilon.I've just decided to leave it for now,and put up with having no icons on my desktop.Nevermind worst things happen at sea :)
Kev
 

Have you tried right-clicking on the Windows Desktop, and following the "Arrange Icons By" link, and then see if you have a "Show Desktop Icons" entry. If you do, select that.
 
A relative of mine experienced this once when his grandson was using his PC, and all the icons mysteriously disappeared. It was easy to retrieve them once we found this link.
 

KenB123


Have you tried right-clicking on the Windows Desktop, and following the "Arrange Icons By" link, and then see if you have a "Show Desktop Icons" entry. If you do, select that.
 
A relative of mine experienced this once when his grandson was using his PC, and all the icons mysteriously disappeared. It was easy to retrieve them once we found this link.
 

aye tryed that one ! I'll have to take to a shop I think.Nevermind,thanks anyway !
Kev