[powellm802]

Hi I have windows 2000 professional (service pack 5) and i am experiencing multiple problems with my computer.

I have no tool bar at the bottom of my screen and the background has disappeared and been replaced by a completely blank blue screen.

Secondly my computer keeps showing a error message that my virtual memory is too low, this keeps appearing until eventually the computer stops working and needs to be restarted.

Third problem is that the computer will not shutdown or restart unless i hold the power button in or press the reset button.

Any help in resolving these issues would be greatly appreciated

[Tagware]

Sound like you have a non starting shell.

Can you give the system 3 finger salute. i.e Ctrl+Alt & Del to bring up the task manager? If so, select the tab "Applications" and the select New Task bottom right handside. Type "explorer". try this for starters.

[powellm802]

I managed to do that and it opened my documents folder that had a folders pane to the left of the screen.

[Tagware]

OK.
Using the same proceedure need to open taskman (3-finger salute) again. This time type "regedit"

Then go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.

It's a tree system so start at the top and drill down. When you get to the folder at the Winlogon. On the righthand panel. Look for the "Shell" value. Is it "explorer.exe" ?

DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING !

[powellm802]

no it is REG_SZ

[Tagware]

OK That's the Type. What about in the Data field to the right of the "Type". Might have to move the col across to see.

[powellm802]

it says the same thing in both type and data,

[Tagware]

Ensure that you are in the correct location

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.

Then, double click on the "shell" under the "name" column and a dialog box will appear.

This will show the Value Name should read "Shell" and the Value data. IF this is is blank type "Explorer.exe" without the " then select OK.

Then close Regedit by the X. Then by press 3 finger salute. Bring up the taksman. Then using the "Shut Down" option on this restart computer.

[powellm802]

ok i'll try that now thank you and let you know what happens, thank you.

[powellm802]

I've done that and my desk top, tool bar at the bottom and desk top icons have all reappeared, computer seems to be running ok but a bit slow.
Has this resolved the problems i was encountering? what can i do to remove unwanted items /clean up my computer. Many thanks for your help so far is is really appreciated

[powellm802]

the computer is working a lot better now, it seems that the list of issues i had have all been resolved.

Thank you very much.

[Tagware]

Pleasure. Happy Computing!

Can you mark it solved if you are happy.

[powellm802]

already had marked it solved before your last response.

Once again many thanks you've saved me from many a frustrated hour trying to sort it myself.