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Desktop will not load in XP

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MuDelta
Resolved

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 6:38PM

At startup everything goes normally untill the desktop background appears and then nothing more happens. I can start ok in safe mode and run system restore but with the same result. Activity stops with a blank desktop. How to corect this?

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lotvic

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 6:51PM

By 'blank desktop' do you mean you get the background picture but no icons or taskbar etc showing?

If it's okay in Safe Mode (minimal drivers loaded) it points towards some sort of driver corruption. Have you tried another different System Restore point?

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Jock1e

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 7:49PM

If you have an XP CD you could run sfc /scannow in command prompt to see if that would help.

Have you downloaded anything lately or added a new security program.

Remove anything plugged into any usb ports.

XP if it is an oldish computer check the air vents for fluff or dust if so inside will also need cleaning.

Maybe PSU on the way out.

Just things to try till someone can give you the proper advice.

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MuDelta

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 8:04PM

Hello lotvic Yes, it's just the background. The taskbar appears afte abouttten minutes but nothing more after that (another 30 minutes!) I have tried three restore opints with no result. How do I find the corrupted driver(s)?

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MuDelta

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 8:10PM

Jock1e Will try sfc /scannow soon No recent downloads USB ports unplugged Computer cleaned recently PSU seems OK

Thanks for the ideas.

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northumbria61

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 8:38PM

Once you are on the desktop can you click ctrl+alt+delete at the same time and get the task manager? If so then you can click "file" "new task (run....) and type in explorer.exe This will load your desktop. If not then you found your problem. The explorer.exe is missing or corrupt. If you can then open the task manager and click file\new task and type in cmd and hit enter on you keyboard and then type in sfc /scannow Be sure to put the space after sfc and before the / This will do a system file check and scan for missing or corrupt OS files and replace them with the ones off your XP CD or Recovery CD. So have it handy to put in your drive when prompted to do so.

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MuDelta

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 9:03PM

northumbria61

I take it you mean not in safe mode but the blank desktop; control+alt+delete doest work - no response! In safe mode, it just gives my documents. Other ideas?

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northumbria61

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 9:17PM

If you have your XP Install Disc take a look here enter link description here

Scroll down and work your way through it.

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northumbria61

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Posted September 11, 2012 at 9:21PM

Should have added - this is for a repair option

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MuDelta

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Posted September 16, 2012 at 6:39PM

It runs ok if I disable all start up items. Something there.

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woodchip

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Posted September 16, 2012 at 6:45PM

then load one at a time and restart pc each time to find the problem

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