Win XP Starts But No Icons Appear on Desktop

[Efkay]

For the past couple of days whenever I start my PC, it appears to go through all the normal start-up checks and sequences, but when Windows desktop appears, well my chosen photographic background appears, there are no icons and no Task Bar. The mouse works and I can even call up the Task Manager.

I've been able to use System Restore from Safe Mode each time, but I'd love to know why this is happening and is there a permanent solution other than going into Safe Mode.

Interestingly this morning it appeared to start up normally, even producing the Task Bar and the Icons - but none would respond to mouse clicks. Could this be related to the same problem?

Any thoughts/suggestions would be gratefully received.

[beso]

From this morning's symptoms it sounds like it could be a driver problem. It might be worth a try reinstalling the video driver. Safe mode uses a generic driver.

If that doesn't fix it try this.

When you bring up task manager select the "New Task..." button and type explorer.exe (this is the core process of Windows)

If it keeps running from there it is probably some other process that starts automatically crashing it. Uninstall any programs you have added recently and see if that fixes it.

If it fails to run again Windows could be corrupted and you might need to reinstall.

Good luck.

[Efkay]

Beso,

Thanks for your prompt reply and suggestion, but since I posted on Sunday I've only just got back up and running again, with Windows not liking any restore points!

I keep experiencing the original problem of a desktop picture but no icons, but Windows keeps failing to restore to a chosen restore point, and I've got several to choose from!

I seriously think this machine has become too flaky for comfort and that a reformat is on the cards, and on that point I think I'll post a question of that very topic.

My thanks again.