My desktop is gone

HoLeeChow · Apr 8, 2008, 05:07 PM

Hello,

So, I turned the computer off before going to bed last night. Today, I booted it up and well, imagine my surprise when I am met with a pitch-black screen and a pointer icon after the Vista Welcome screen. Everything--desktop wallpaper, icons, taskbar, and the start menu...all gone. Just nothing but blackness. And the pointer icon.

The other thing that's different is I was met with...uh, file folders and such. It always starts in my user name\downloads. I'm able to access everything from there by just clicking on where I want to go, but I haven't been able to retrieve my desktop. It's rather strange.

So, any idea of what's going on?

PangingJr · Apr 9, 2008, 04:55 AM

i'm not sure, also don't know whether there is already a solution, i mean a fast and easy solution to the problem.
but it won't take long to install Vista. how myself would deal with the problem (if that was mine) is by clean out the system hard drives and then reinstall both Windows OS and software, or restore from a backup copy.
so, if you don't already have a backup created then i think what you can do is to scan all of your files that exists on this computer for virus information, then create a backup of your important files,
clean out the drives and reinstall the Windows.

**temeteus82** · Apr 9, 2008, 08:46 AM

Hmm... I had similar issues after I ran CCleaner and used it's advanced cleaning profiles... for me the issue was solved by running chkdsk c: /R in safe mode, it wont run in safe mode but it asks if it is ran in the next boot. Anyway it wont hurt if you would try to goto safe mode and if you get there run chkdsk c: /R

PangingJr · Apr 9, 2008, 10:38 AM

here (below) is one similar case, i hope.

i haven't read everything, just search the web and found this one with the word [RESOLVED], this might help you out.

[RESOLVED] Desktop is GONE - Tech Support Forum

that probably don't work for you.

so also try this, creating a new user account and then log off existing user and log into Windows with the new account.
may be the existing user profile is damaged or something.

-----

to open the Run dialog box - Windows logo key +R
to open Windows Task Manager - Ctrl+Shift+Esc
to open Control Panel type control
to open User Accounts applet type control userpasswords2

**kris23** · Apr 9, 2008, 02:49 PM

sometimes that happens when you have bad memory....
usually REAL bad memory....

PangingJr · Apr 9, 2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

sometimes that happens when you have bad memory....
usually REAL bad memory....

ah very good info, kris23. i probably never find it myself.

so, kris23 recommends to check the RAM to make sure it's not a very bad RAM.

HoLeeChow · Apr 9, 2008, 11:17 PM

Well, I ended up reinstalling Vista. I just wish I knew what was the cause so I will know not to do it again or whatever.

PangingJr · Apr 10, 2008, 01:43 AM

well, i think you can look into the buttom of the problem and on the causes of most Windows problems, and probably also find a solution, all by yourself.
however, because it can take time and effort to accomplish, so it's all up to individual you know. but on the most positive thoughts of all, it’ll be your experience which will help you (and may be include others) in later time, and i encourage you with this idea, next time, see if you can make this happen.

Apr 8, 2008, 05:07 PM	#1
HoLeeChow DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	My desktop is gone Hello, So, I turned the computer off before going to bed last night. Today, I booted it up and well, imagine my surprise when I am met with a pitch-black screen and a pointer icon after the Vista Welcome screen. Everything--desktop wallpaper, icons, taskbar, and the start menu...all gone. Just nothing but blackness. And the pointer icon. The other thing that's different is I was met with...uh, file folders and such. It always starts in my user name\downloads. I'm able to access everything from there by just clicking on where I want to go, but I haven't been able to retrieve my desktop. It's rather strange. So, any idea of what's going on?

Apr 9, 2008, 10:38 AM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	here (below) is one similar case, i hope. i haven't read everything, just search the web and found this one with the word [RESOLVED], this might help you out. [RESOLVED] Desktop is GONE - Tech Support Forum that probably don't work for you. so also try this, creating a new user account and then log off existing user and log into Windows with the new account. may be the existing user profile is damaged or something. ----- to open the Run dialog box - Windows logo key +R to open Windows Task Manager - Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Control Panel type control to open User Accounts applet type control userpasswords2 Last edited by PangingJr; Apr 9, 2008 at 02:30 PM.

Apr 9, 2008, 02:49 PM	#5
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	sometimes that happens when you have bad memory.... usually REAL bad memory.... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Apr 9, 2008, 04:55 AM	#2
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i'm not sure, also don't know whether there is already a solution, i mean a fast and easy solution to the problem. but it won't take long to install Vista. how myself would deal with the problem (if that was mine) is by clean out the system hard drives and then reinstall both Windows OS and software, or restore from a backup copy. so, if you don't already have a backup created then i think what you can do is to scan all of your files that exists on this computer for virus information, then create a backup of your important files, clean out the drives and reinstall the Windows.

Apr 9, 2008, 11:17 PM	Thread Starter #7
HoLeeChow DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Well, I ended up reinstalling Vista. I just wish I knew what was the cause so I will know not to do it again or whatever.

Apr 10, 2008, 01:43 AM	#8
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	well, i think you can look into the buttom of the problem and on the causes of most Windows problems, and probably also find a solution, all by yourself. however, because it can take time and effort to accomplish, so it's all up to individual you know. but on the most positive thoughts of all, it’ll be your experience which will help you (and may be include others) in later time, and i encourage you with this idea, next time, see if you can make this happen.