Virus/Spyware? Start button,taskbar, and all icons disappeared?!?

Question

I downloaded something and so I am pretty sure thats what caused it. My desktop background is still there, but no icons or toolbar. I have to do Ctrl Alt Del and then go to File..Run to get into any programs. Everything is there, but how do I fix it? I have already run Kasperski and am currently doing Spysweeper and TrendMicro Antivirus. HELP!

It doesn't let me right click on my desktop. Nothing happens. I know how to go into properties and do that but I cannot get to that and that is not the cause.

IT IS NOT A SETTING! I cannot get to the taskbar at all..not if i move my mouse to the bottom of the screen, etc.

I am running the Windowx XP OS

I am running the Windowx XP OS

I am running the Windowx XP OS

I am running the WIndows XP OS

I am running the WIndows XP OS

sorry about the repeated post above. my computer froze up and sent it many times. My computer will not boot up in safe mode. it doesnt even give me the option.

Answer 1

Even though you have Windows XP the old F8 key for Windows 98 to get into Safe Mode still works.... I did this once....

Start the computer and keep tapping the "F 8" Key and then the options will come up to get into Safe Mode. Once you do your business you will be able to reboot Normally....

Start > Run > "msconfig" > Okay > General .... front panel of the Diagnostics Panel and click NORMAL to reboot . Done deal.

Take these with you:

a-squared trojan remover (Free Working Version for life and Proactive Premium Version)
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

Microsoft Free Malicious Software Removal Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Emergency Download Link (USA English):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en

Should do the trick .... Good Luck

Stop Back here to our groups for more;
BlueCollarPC Memberships...
http://www.bluecollarpc.org/_mgxroot/page_10734.html

Answer 2

TASK BAR AND RECYCLE BIN

FIRST
close all windows
right click on desk top
choose arange icons
then choose show desk top icons
move your mouse to all corners of your screen
until you see up and down arrows
left click and hold
then pull up down -etc
until task bar is where you want it
so this don"t happen again
right click task bar and choose LOCK TASK BAR
There's another possibility.
There's a way to have all your desktop icons disappear.
If you have Windows XP, right-click on the desktop
and go to "Arrange Icons" and in there, you'll see an option that says "Show Desktop Icons". Make sure it's checked.
For Vista, right-click the desktop, choose "View", then you'll also see "Show Desktop Icons". Make sure it's checked.
or and
Right-click an empty area of your desktop
Select Properties
Click the Desktop tab
Click the Customize button
Click Restore Default
Exit all windows and restart your computer

Answer 3

Whats your operating system. I need to know that before I can tell any quick fixed but for majority of windows heres what you can do. Press CTRL + ALT + DEL then in run type "explorer" and hit enter. Now you should be able to see everything. Then go to control panel and change the task bar setting and desktop settings. Then restart your system and while restarting press space bar and then boot into last know good configuration.

PS: if you cant run explorer from task manager type "MMC" in run and file => add => add => computer management and change your setting then reboot.


====================


Restart you computer and then keep holding space bar. This should give you the option to boot in safe mode.
Or press F8 when you see list of OS

Answer 4

Are you sure it is gone? Scroll down and see if, when your cursor is at the bottom, the task bar etc. reappears. If so, it will "disappear" again when you move your cursor up.

If so, while you can see the task bar, right-click there and then choose properties. On the Taskbar tab, unclick the "hide the task bar" box.

Answer 5

to get the taskbar, and desktop icons back go to file run and type Explorer.exe. that is the program that i restart when ever this happens to me. it seems weird but works.