Solve : wallpaper but all else blank?

1.	Solve : wallpaper but all else blank?
Answer» on a dell desktop running win xp, the screen only shows wallpaper and nothing else. How do I get the icons and toolbars back? This is my daughter's computer, so I don't know what she did or didn't do to bring it on. It seems like there must be an easy solution. Like maybe the screen is just enlarged so much I can't see the stuff? The wallpaper looks normal and the mouse pointer works, but when the computer is restarting, all the writing is enlarged and running off screen. I've tried restarting in safe mode, but all I get is a black screen with "safe mode" written in all the corners. right click on your blank desktop, and select Properties. that will load the display properties window. then goto Display tab, and you will possibly see that you ahve 2 monitors enabled. try to disable the second monitor, or set your correct monitor as primary. or before you try any of that, see if on the back of your computer you have another spot to plug in the monitor, and try the other plug. hope that helps! When you say writing, what do you mean? I'm enclined to think you have something preventing explorer.exe from running which is what controls the task bar and icons. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del, then click the PROCCESS tab, and look for 'explorer.exe'. If that's not there that is why nothing is showing up. Why it's not starting up is another story.OK. now I've discovered that I don't have 'explorer.exe' showing up. How do I fix it? I just found a post that provided a link with instructions for a repair install. I will try this and see. Let you know. Thanks. Meantime, any other suggestions are welcome.Quote from: skybluealice on June 18, 2007, 01:02:56 PM OK. now I've discovered that I don't have 'explorer.exe' showing up. How do I fix it? Press ctrl+alt+delete and go to programs, on the left of processes, now click on new process down in the right corner and type in explorer, then the icons and the start button should appear...Thanks FilluX, I tried what you said and it worked, but then the computer TOTALLY crashed. There's definitely something more serious going on than I want to WASTE my time with. I'm sure under normal circumstances, your fix is the perfect solution, but I'm gonna go buy a Mac for my daughter (no offense to all you windows lovers). I have a G5 myself and I absolutely LOVE it. A Mac?! That's the worst solution I've ever SEEN! UNLESS, of course, you want to give me the faulty PC. Heh. I kid, of course. If you haven't completely given up on the computer, then you might want to try posting a HijackThis log. Explorer might've been disabled by some sort of infection (what protection do you have?).Hey Matt- I'll be happy to send you the faulty PC (C.O.D. of course). I personally think the Mac is the best solution ever. No sickness at all (viruses,bugs,worms,adware,spyware,blah,blah,blah). I'm really not kidding. If you want it, sans monitor, it's yours. I just don't have the time or patience for windows anymore. But I wish all the power to those who do Mac is prone to viruses just like Windows, but it is true that the risk is a lot lower. I'm against Macs for myself (just not my preference), but I hope your daughter will be happy with it. If you're really willing to send out the PC, I'm willing to pay C.O.D. As long as it's not an ungodly amount, of course. Ha.Sure. I'll send it. How and where? I've sent you a PM.

Answer»

on a dell desktop running win xp, the screen only shows wallpaper and nothing else. How do I get the icons and toolbars back? This is my daughter's computer, so I don't know what she did or didn't do to bring it on. It seems like there must be an easy solution. Like maybe the screen is just enlarged so much I can't see the stuff? The wallpaper looks normal and the mouse pointer works, but when the computer is restarting, all the writing is enlarged and running off screen. I've tried restarting in safe mode, but all I get is a black screen with "safe mode" written in all the corners. right click on your blank desktop, and select Properties.
that will load the display properties window.
then goto Display tab, and you will possibly see that you ahve 2 monitors enabled.
try to disable the second monitor, or set your correct monitor as primary.
or before you try any of that, see if on the back of your computer you have another spot to plug in the monitor, and try the other plug.

hope that helps!

When you say writing, what do you mean? I'm enclined to think you have something preventing explorer.exe from running which is what controls the task bar and icons. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del, then click the PROCCESS tab, and look for 'explorer.exe'. If that's not there that is why nothing is showing up. Why it's not starting up is another story.OK. now I've discovered that I don't have 'explorer.exe' showing up. How do I fix it? I just found a post that provided a link with instructions for a repair install. I will try this and see. Let you know. Thanks. Meantime, any other suggestions are welcome.Quote from: skybluealice on June 18, 2007, 01:02:56 PM

OK. now I've discovered that I don't have 'explorer.exe' showing up. How do I fix it?

Press ctrl+alt+delete and go to programs, on the left of processes, now click on new process down in the right corner and type in explorer, then the icons and the start button should appear...Thanks FilluX, I tried what you said and it worked, but then the computer TOTALLY crashed. There's definitely something more serious going on than I want to WASTE my time with. I'm sure under normal circumstances, your fix is the perfect solution, but I'm gonna go buy a Mac for my daughter (no offense to all you windows lovers). I have a G5 myself and I absolutely LOVE it. A Mac?! That's the worst solution I've ever SEEN! UNLESS, of course, you want to give me the faulty PC. Heh.

I kid, of course.

If you haven't completely given up on the computer, then you might want to try posting a HijackThis log. Explorer might've been disabled by some sort of infection (what protection do you have?).Hey Matt- I'll be happy to send you the faulty PC (C.O.D. of course). I personally think the Mac is the best solution ever. No sickness at all (viruses,bugs,worms,adware,spyware,blah,blah,blah). I'm really not kidding. If you want it, sans monitor, it's yours. I just don't have the time or patience for windows anymore. But I wish all the power to those who do Mac is prone to viruses just like Windows, but it is true that the risk is a lot lower. I'm against Macs for myself (just not my preference), but I hope your daughter will be happy with it. If you're really willing to send out the PC, I'm willing to pay C.O.D. As long as it's not an ungodly amount, of course. Ha.Sure. I'll send it. How and where?
I've sent you a PM.

Solve : wallpaper but all else blank?

Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions

Reply to Comment