XP Desktop wont show

bwana

bwana

MyBroadband
Super Moderator
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Messages
97,747
Reaction score
37,899
Location
Plz
When I lauch XP the desktop wont show. I can launch the task manager and run applications from explorer.exe.

I've tried the hotfix offered here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948277 but nada.

Any options besides doing a repair installation of XP?
 
Is this a SP2 or SP3 install?

When did it start with this strange problem?
 
Or if that doesn't pressing F8 on bootup and then start in safe mode. Assuming it loads there then do a system restore.
 
What is your system shell set as?
What happens when you run explorer.exe?
 
Linoman said:
Or if that doesn't pressing F8 on bootup and then start in safe mode. Assuming it loads there then do a system restore.
Click to expand...

Should have mentioned same thing happens when I start in safe mode.

carudden said:
What is your system shell set as?
What happens when you run explorer.exe?
Click to expand...

When I run explorer.exe windows explorer launches.

I'll merge my double post when I get back to a computer.

Linoman said:
Is this a SP2 or SP3 install?

When did it start with this strange problem?
Click to expand...

Sp 2 iirc. Its a family members pc so I'm not sure when it started doing it.
 
Last edited:
I would reload it fresh bwana, when you experience trouble with xp rather reload it.

Bwana double posting, now that is something new :p
 
O no you should run a repair bwana :). That could work i would imagine as long as xp is not to badly messed up, although if its a virus you will just get the same problem.
 
bwana said:
When I run explorer.exe windows explorer launches.

I'll merge my double post when I get back to a computer.
Click to expand...

Then your windows shell is not set to explorer.exe. The behaviour of explorer.exe is to check if the shell is set to explorer.exe:

if it is: run the windows desktop shell
if its not: run Windows Explorer

Check the registry entry here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
Click to expand...
 
bwana said:
Sp 2 iirc. Its a family members pc so I'm not sure when it started doing it.
Click to expand...

If it is doing it in safe more:eek: then there is a serious problem with that XP install. Probably the best route would be to either repair the install or format and reinstall:(
 
Lord Fubar said:
fail post
Click to expand...

I run XP, still do ... but only at work, cause it just plods on... but i have had to reload it about twice a year - probably.

I switched to vista at home way back when it came out. Only had a few driver problems that were sorted out quite quickly. Never had to do a reload on it. I cloned it to a new 500gig in Dec 08, still runs like a dream!

I ran both XP and Vista on the same machine, different HD's and I score higher on the vista (SP1) than the XP (SP3) with every benchmark i tested with. So I got no probs with vista - cruizes sweetly - flies in gaming. Rock steady on stability, network runs perfectly (I run a WAN between 4 premises totalling about 7km, with internet shareing etc..). So i see no probs!!!

And I will definatley go with win7 too - like kiladoob says - its just as sweet as vista, but betta.

Because I Can ;)
 
IRG said:
I run XP, still do ... but only at work, cause it just plods on... but i have had to reload it about twice a year - probably.

I switched to vista at home way back when it came out. Only had a few driver problems that were sorted out quite quickly. Never had to do a reload on it. I cloned it to a new 500gig in Dec 08, still runs like a dream!

I ran both XP and Vista on the same machine, different HD's and I score higher on the vista (SP1) than the XP (SP3) with every benchmark i tested with. So I got no probs with vista - cruizes sweetly - flies in gaming. Rock steady on stability, network runs perfectly (I run a WAN between 4 premises totalling about 7km, with internet shareing etc..). So i see no probs!!!

And I will definatley go with win7 too - like kiladoob says - its just as sweet as vista, but betta.

Because I Can ;)
Click to expand...

im not saying your post is fail because u prefer vista over xp. but simply because this thread is about someone who asked for a solution to a problem. you didn't contribute anything to the original post but instead just plugged vista. you and i both know there are many other threads where you could have done that without going off topic, you could even have gone as far as creating your own thread.

thank you, enjoy your day :rolleyes:
 
Fubar i think bwana got the answers he needed in all honesty :)

IRG was just pointing out why he is glad he no longer runs xp :).
 
Lord Fubar said:
im not saying your post is fail because u prefer vista over xp. but simply because this thread is about someone who asked for a solution to a problem. you didn't contribute anything to the original post but instead just plugged vista. you and i both know there are many other threads where you could have done that without going off topic, you could even have gone as far as creating your own thread.

thank you, enjoy your day :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

cool ... allthough i did post again suggesting SP3 ... before you said fail!! at least I was not a complete waste of time !!! i hope :o:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X