Seriously pooched laptop!

[bluemax]

I've got someone's laptop here and his Start button/Taskbar is completely gone.
Pressing the "Window" key on the keyboard doesn't do anything either!

So... how do I go about getting it back? (Man... this system is MESSED UP! Slow, mswsock.dll errors constantly....)

No internet access, no network connections, no search, no help, no changes accept or apply....

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Custom theme?

Auto-hide?

Save what you can, reinstall? :/

 

[HN]

shot in the dark - check display properties and make sure it's set to only single display. if it's set as dual display and "extend my windows desktop to this monitor" is on the secondary monitor, i could have moved the taskbar.

 

[oog]

maybe the explorer process crashed and didn't restart? check to see if it's listed in the task manager. if it isn't, then click on the "new task" button and type in explorer.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: oog
maybe the explorer process crashed and didn't restart? check to see if it's listed in the task manager. if it isn't, then click on the "new task" button and type in explorer.

 

[bluemax]

I've rebooted the machine several times, to no avail. I'll try the dual-monitor thing... but the thing is loaded with 4 extra toolbars in IE and Internet no longer works at all!

Seriously messed up...

 

[Malak]

Ctrl-alt-del

Run explorer.exe

If that doesn't work, you are fvcked. Reformat. Chances are it's spyware ridden.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: KruptosAngelos
Ctrl-alt-del

Run explorer.exe

If that doesn't work, you are fvcked. Reformat. Chances are it's spyware ridden.

Between viruses and spyware this system has become totally corrupt. I'll tell my client I can reinstall the OS, or they can use their Recovery CD to try and do it themselves, but it must be done.

Oh yeah... while *I* may have created a ghost image here at the tech bench, they should probably do a backup archive themselves (in a more common format - I'm not giving them Ghost!) It's got a CD/DVD burner, so there's no excuses.

I just wonder what virus or spyware messed it up so bad! 1/2 the programs no longer even run!

 

[The Pentium Guy]

I generally reformat every 6 months or so

 

[jldash]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
I generally reformat every 6 months or so

Second that.

 

[LBmtb]

solution to everything with windows: reformat and reinstall, it'll probably be quicker then actually figuring it out

Just make sure there's nothing important on that disk before wiping it out.

 

[ifoundthetao]

actually, if you havent reformatted yet, there are other options. i recently had the same problem with my computer. first, get the task manager up.. then go to applications.. then go to new task.. when that pops up.. type "msconfig.exe" when that pops up. go to boot.ini, and check, "/safeboot" then click apply and restart the machine.. run antivirus, spyware removals.. .. then run msconfig again, uncheck "/safeboot".. if the startbar still isnt there..get task manager again, try running "explorer.exe" if nothing happens.. go through the processes, one by one, and end the ones which are being run by the user.. not local service or system.. after terminating each one, try to run explorer again.. when you find the one that isn't letting you see the taskbar, then you've found your culprit. mine was actually a verizon ip util, i didnt realize that it was even on my computer, and i didnt notice that it was bad.. because i have SBC and for some reason i assumed that Verizons came with SBC.. but obviously it doesnt.. but try that and let me know. it might not be the best way to attack the problem.. but it definitely works, and saves reformatting and backing up.. peace

tim

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
I generally reformat every 6 months or so

That's a bit extreme. I normally do once every two years.

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
I generally reformat every 6 months or so

That's a bit extreme. I normally do once every two years.

Yeah people reformat way too often. If you are a total newb and don't know how to run windows properly I can see why you'd have to reformat so much...

 

[CheapBastardo]

missing taskbar is a classic problem with the registry. Before reinstalling window, try to restore the registry.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: CheapBastardo
missing taskbar is a classic problem with the registry. Before reinstalling window, try to restore the registry.

Yes, definitely try a registry restore. A good way of doing this is using System Restore, or you can do it by hand in the Recovery Console.