[Wally15]

About 2 weeks ago we shut the computer down, and when we restarted it the next morning the Desktop, Start Menu and Taskbar were missing, there was just a black screen with the documents folder already open. I could only access the computer through this folder.

We got the desktop and everything else that was missing back, by pressing the ctrl/alt/delete and got the Task Manager up and went to file, new task and typed in explorer.

This solves the problem until you shut the computer down again, and then you have to keep repeating the process everytime you start the computer.

Have tried everything from running anti-virus, doing a windows repair, to cleaning the registry, but nothing seems to fix the problem. Does anyone out there have the same problem and can help. Also have tried system restore (but of course I hadn't set a restore point yet)

Wally (Wendy)

[kiwiguy]

Since the PC is only 2 weeks old, I would try a reinstall from scratch.

You will lose all data, but if it fails at that it could point to a hardware error which would be under warranty.

[Wally15]

Thanks for your reply, but I think you misunderstood, my Computer is not a new one, this happened 2 weeks ago, have had vista on my computer since it came out, and have only just run into this problem. But thanks for your suggestion will keep it in mind, really don't want to do a re-install of vista, but it looks like I might have to.

Wally (Wendy)

[kiwiguy]

Sorry, but I was misled by the "hadn't set a restore point yet" as Windows creates one frequently, unless you never shut down. Personally I recommend frequent shutdowns, particularly on a desktop system which is not optimised for standby or hibernate modes as laptops are.

[Rich-M]

Interesting kiwi and as much as I know there are 2 schools of thought on shutdowns vs leaving pc's on all the time, the only users I have who have constant problems, are the ones who never shut them down.
Personally I use "standby" or "sleep" when around, and close down at night or when I go out.
I can't help but think that has to be why I never have any of these issues I read about all the time on these forums.

[Bob Cerelli]

Wally15,

Back to your problem.

What happens if you start in safe mode?
Are there any other user accounts you can log in with?
Since you can eventually get on, can you create a new user account and log in with that account?

[Wally15]

Thanks for the reply, and the suggestion.
Tried in Safe Mode, and tried creating a new user account, and still the same.
Thanks
Wendy(Wendy)

[Bob Cerelli]

How was the repair install done?

[downtime]

Right click Computer, choose manage. Expand Event Viewer, Applications and Services Logs, Microsoft, Windows, Diagnostics-Performance, and click on Operational. This log should list any slow loading drivers or services. On the right under task category you'll see a description of the event, Boot Performance, Shutdown, Standby, etc. Is there anything listed that is showing error or warning?

[Wally15]

Downtime,

Did all of that, and there a plenty of errors, warnings and a couple of criticals, but none of them make any sense at all to me.

There are some before the day that it started happening, plenty the day it happened and plenty more up until now, since it hasn't been working properly.

Wally (Wendy)

[richard94]

This sounds like what happens when an unactivated Vista runs out of its grace period and goes into reduced functionality mode. In this situation, however, you shouldn't be able to start explorer, and it opens up Internet Explorer (or your default browser) at the M$ activation site, trying to coax you into buying a key, not Documents.

[Scorpius]

The same thing just happened to me actually. It's a completely black screen with just a Documents window that pops up. There doesn't seem to be any real problems with my computer.. it's just really annoying.


Edit: I just went into the task manager to see if there was anything making my computer hang. There were 4 explorer.exe's running, so I ended 2 of them, then this "Customizing your desktop" thing popped up, it sat there for a minute, I ended that too, then my computer loaded as it normally would. Haven't restarted yet, so we'll see how that goes.

[Wally15]

Hi Scorpius,
I was just wondering if you have fixed this problem. I still have the same problem, it certainly is annoying. I have been thinking about reformatting but haven't done anything about it yet, because there really isn't anything wrong with the computer. With me I think it had something to do with trying to install screensavers. I was showing someone how to install those screensavers from www.freeze.com, and my computer and vista didn't like it at all. Uninstalled them all but to no avail, and I still have the same problem. If you have found a fix, can you let me know. And it's not because my version of Vista isn't activated because it is.
Cheers
Wendy (Wally)

[amjayz]

=-= really annoyin . .. does this mean i have to buy a new vista or xp thingy . . . ?

[CompAdvisor]

I am working on a permamnent fix to this puzzle. For now:

ctrl - Shift - esc

file..new task

explorer

This gets things back to normal, but not after reboot.

http://www.thecomputeradvisor.co.uk