no taskbar, no desktop icons, no right click
This problem can occur if the explorer.exe has been infected with a virus.
Customers have Windows XP SP3
We have tried to start in safe mode but still do not have a start button or desktop.
I have searched the web and found solutions described below.
This is the 2nd PC at this site to have this problem, and to date the only solution that works for me is to backup the data then do a complete reinstall of the Operation System.
I have now come across a 3rd PC from another site with exact same problem.
and the fix was to rename explorer.exe in the registry as described in the web sites listed below
go to: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe
rename the explorer.exe entry to something like explorer.exx
In order to run programs we can click
CTRL+ALT+DEL
Click Task Manager Button
File
New task
Run
Then you can browse and run any program on the PC.
eg
c:\windows\regedit.exe
or just type regedit.exe
This web site has some good tips
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-13643-upon-start-up-only-wallpaper-shows-no-icons
However I tried them all and none fixed my problem.
I think a root kit virus has gotten into the system somehow.
My fix is to image the drive to another hard disk as backup.
Then reinstall Windows and applications from scratch.
Solutions to try taken from the above web site:-
(This has worked for me)
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Just to let everyone know.... While surfing through the internet I found someone who solved this problem and has a way to fix it. There are 2 registry keys in the registry that are causing the problem. It affects the explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe files.
This is the key that needs to be deleted...
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
Once these keys are deleted the desktop and internet explorer should come back to life.
Thank you whoever found this information and I hope this will be a benefit to someone else out there.
This site claims
http://www.computer-aid.com.au/blog/2008/09/26/no-taskbar-no-desktop-icons-no-right-click/
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run regedit
go to: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\explorer.exe
rename the explorer.exe entry to something like explorer.exx
reboot PC
Problem solved!