When my computer is logged on there is no icons, or start menu. the only way to get to anything is to click Ctrl alt delete. how can i fix this?
This question was answered on February 1, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.
No Desktop or Blank Desktop After Logging On to Windows 2000
SYMPTOMS
When you log on to Windows 2000, you may see a blank desktop or no desktop When this occurs, you can press CTRL ALT DELETE to start Task Manager, but Explorer.exe is not listed in the list of running tasks or processes Starting a new instance of Explorer.exe does not resolve the issue
CAUSE
This issue can occur if there is an older version of the Shdocvw.dll file in the %SystemRoot% folder Because Explorer.exe is located in the %SystemRoot% folder, the search path for any called files starts in the %SystemRoot% folder before the path is searched The default search order always looks for a called file in the folder containing the program file before searching the path to locate the file
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue: 1 Press CTRL ALT DELETE, and then click Task Manager
2 On the File menu, click New Task (Run)
3 Type cmd.exe, and then press ENTER
4 If necessary, change to the %SystemRoot% folder
5 Rename the Shdocvw.dll file by typing ren shdocvw.dll shdocvw.old
6 Restart the computer
MORE INFORMATION
Other older files that may cause problems with Explorer.exe or the shell if they are located in %SystemRoot% folder:
Browseui.dll
Comctl32.dll
Comdlg32.dll
Mlang.dll
Ole32.dll
Oleaut32.dll
Shdocvw.dll
Shell32.dll
Shlwapi.dll
Urlmon.dll
Wininet.dll
Setupapi.dll
For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
162031 Blank Screen or Operating System Cannot Load Profile at Logon
255758 Error Message: Explorer.exe Has Generated Errors and Will Be Closed by Windows
249321 Unable to Log on if the Boot Partition Drive Letter Has Changed
137155 Users Without System32 Permissions Cannot Log On
The desktop may also be blank if your computer is configured for multiple monitors and the icons are on a portion of the desktop that is outside the viewable range Check the properties for the video adapter, and then click Settings If two monitors are displayed, but only one is in use, click the first monitor, and then check the settings If the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box is selected, click to clear the check box, and then click Apply The icons should then reappear
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About the author
Posted by Eramilde of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on February 1, 2005
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