No Icons Taskbar on desktop

Fairwinds

Hi there, I have been asked to help with a laptop of a friend of a friend.

When its booted up, screen is completely blank, with the exception of the wallpaper photograph. No icons/taskbar/start menu etc.

Crtl Alt delete brings up Task Manager.

I have tried unsuccessfully so far to boot in safe mode ( tap f8 is that right??) but no joy.

Thanks for any help

Blackpool_Saver

Try placing your cursor at the bottom of page and dragging it up as it may just be down there

Fairwinds

Its not just the task bar - all icons as well

KingL

Screen resolution set wrongly ? Can you drag the mouse off the edge of the screen and does the desktop scroll if you do?

Fairwinds

No, i wish it was as simple, but thanks for trying

KingL

Grasping a bit here but

- can you get a start menu from either Cntrl + Esc or the Windows key. If so, can you navigate/explore to the desktop folder ? See anything ?
- Right clicking on desktop then "arrange..." or "properties" yield anything ?

Fairwinds

right clicking doesn't work i'm afraid - i think this may be a virus rather than settings

Fairwinds

any help out there?

FireFox

Sounds like there maybe a problem with Explorer loading -

In Task Manager > Processes tab
Can you see explorer.exe running?

If it's running select it then hit 'End Process'
Then go to Applications tab > New Task...
Type explorer.exe and hit Enter

If it's not running start it in the same way.

Fairwinds

Hi, it wasn't shown in the list - when i type it in I get run time error 5.

i have been trying to download some anti virus to my laptop and run that on problem laptop, but can't get it to run

dogmaryxx

Googled similar problem.........Unplug the power, remove the battery and then hold the power button for 30 to 60 seconds. Then reattach the power and attempt a boot. If it works, shutdown and put battery back in.

Worth a try.