[solved] Computer opens with wallpaper but no icons or mouse?

Hi Gang...

Not sure if this is hardware or software related... Maybe both?

So I thought it better to post here...

My main web machine (HP VMWare/Voodoo Labs VistaX64) is failing to start... And I can't seem to get it into safe mode during startup either...

It seems to load fine, but after the wallpaper is displayed, no icons appear and no mouse cursor...

I'm a bit stymied and with my scant access to electricity, exploring a fix is difficult...

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this or possible solutions? My web work is backing up on me...

Much thanks...
Keni

It turns out that somehow (someone?) had the monitor plugged in as monitor 3 of a 4 monitor gfx card! ;-)

I stumbled on it... The machine is very large an heavy... Much more than most machines... And it's wedged in between two desks... I first thought to check why the mouse wasn't visible and it's plugged into USB ports on the keyboard... The monitor cable (DVI) was not fastened/screwed in as I typically leave it...

It must have been me who did this as I live alone?

;-)

Maybe I'm sleep-surfing?

Thanks for pitching in...

Keni

arachnaut
You can try this.
 
Start things up, but press the power button to turn things off during the late boot period.
 
The next startup will force Windows to show the debug screen showing options like Safe Mode boot or normal boot.
 
Boot into safe mode and use the system restore control panel to choose an eary good restore point.
 

Thanks arachnaut...

I hadn't thought of that method to get into safe mode...

Sadly, I don't think I gave a reasonable restore point, but hopefully I can find a fix... This didn't happen due to any changes in the system as I haven't added or removed any software on this machine in ages!

Keni