How do you turn off a computer when the start bar is gone?

Question

My start bar at the bottom of the screen has disappeared, along with all icons on the desktop. This has happened several times before, and the only way I could turn off the computer was to turn off the powerstrip. But I was wondering if there is any other way to turn it off without turning off the power strip?

Answer 1

All of the above will do.

Answer 2

You can hit Ctrl + Alt + Del to bring up the task manager, click on file, then New Task (Run...). A new little window will pop up, type in "Explorer.exe" without the quotes. Explorer.exe is the program that shows you your task bar and your desktop. From there, you can shut down safely. When you press and hold in the power button, you're doing a "hard shutdown" and it's not very good for your computer. It's still an option, but it should be a last resort, and NEVER just unplug your computer. That is the worst thing you can do to a computer while it's processing. You can ruin your computer that way.

Answer 3

If your Taskbar and desktop icons disappear it's because Windows Explorer has crashed (note: Windows Explorer is a different thing from Internet Explorer). This in itself signifies there's a fairly serious problem with you Windows install but there's a workaround you can try that might help in the short term.

The next time it happens:

- Hit the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys all at the same time and you should get the Task Manager (or at least a load of buttons including one that'll get you the Task Manager).
- Select the File->New Task menu option.
- In the box that appears type "explorer.exe" (without the quotes) and this should restore your Taskbar, desktop icons, etc.

Answer 4

This happens to me sometimes, its a simple fix that doesn't require you to reboot your computer. Here's what you do...

(I'm assuming your using Windows XP)
- Press [ctrl] + [alt] + [del], press down on all three buttons at the same time, no need to hold just press once.
- A window will pop up that will say "Windows Task Manager" at the top.
- In that window you will find 5 tabs, "Applications", "Processes", "Performance", "Networking", "Users".
- Click on the "Applications" tab
- In the bottom right corner there will be a button called "New Task", click on it.
- Another smaller window pops up, click into the text entry box which is right next to where it says "Open:", be sure to erase anything that is already in that box and type the following, but without the quotes, "explorer.exe"
- Click "OK"

Hope it works

Answer 5

If your computer is frozen up your only recourse may be a hard restart, by turning off the powerstrip or hitting the reset button.

You can try the "three finger microsoft salute," (alt-control-delete) and if that doesn't work you are frozen up. Need to check your registry or other software systems to find the source of this problem.

Answer 6

if you have win 98 then press ctrl+alt+del sevarel time(actually 2 times is enough)

if you have win xp then first try alt+F4 which bring the log off window,
you can try windows key +L which brings the welcome screen where in the bottom left there is the turn off option........

if these two not work then press ctrl+alt+del which brings you the task manager there you find the shut down option in the top.but first try to end task if there is any non responding prog.it may bring back your desktop icons and taskbar...

if all those above process not work then press the reset key in your cpu cabinate rather than turn off the power.

Answer 7

You might first see if you've accidentally hidden your menu bar. If you move your mouse all the way to the bottom of the screen and it turns into a double-vertical arrow, then you can click and drag your menu bar back up to where it belongs.

If something strange has gone wrong with the system and you just need to reboot, you can hit ctrl-alt-delete to get the prompt to shut down.

Best wishes!

Answer 8

hi mate,
what i would have done is i would either press the button between ALT & CTRL on the left side. that botton has the windows logo. OR i would press ALT & F4 which then asks you to shut down or restart or stand ..... hope this helps you

Answer 9

Make a note of this shortcut: Ctrl + Esc That will bring up the Start menu.

Answer 10

My computer sometimes freezes up and I have to shut off the power strip. I don't think it's really bad for the computer, but I usually start it back up and shut it down the proper way right away. I don't know another way. Ctr-alt-del somethimes doesn't work.

Answer 11

try pushing keys all at once. you should get a dialog that allows you to shut down.