taskbar & desktop icons are missing

[phantomtres]

I am trying to fix my sons computer, it is a compaq desktop with windows XP Pro. It starts normal but on the desktop the icons are missing and so is the taskbar. I tried going on Safe mode but everything is still missing on the desktop. There's also no restore that I can see or get to. Is there any way of getting the missing icons back. If I have no choice can my retail version of windows XP pro be used to fix it and if it can how do you do it, thank you.

[glc]

Compaq has a recovery partition.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...cname=bph07145

[phantomtres]

how do I get to the recovery partition since there is nothing I can click on, thanks.

[glc]

Keep reading.............

Recovering during startup

[phantomtres]

I tried repeatedly tapping the F10 key but I just get into the part of changing boot seq. ect. but not the part for recovery. I was able to get to restore section by going into the task manager and into the windows files. When given the option to restore to an earlier date I clicked where it says next and then it just freezes there it wont restore to an earlier date, any other suggestions.

[glc]

That's system restore you got into, not system recovery. Read the whole article for all the options. If you can't get into the recovery partition and never made the recovery CD set, you can order a recovery set from HP.

[EzyStvy]

For grins-> when the computer boots up do-> CTRL-ALT-DEL keys to bring up task manager. Then do File->Run and type: Explorer.exe and click OK....Does the desktop appear ok?

[phantomtres]

Nothing appears but I get the message that windows cannot find Explorer.exe. He doesn't have a recovery CD but as I asked in my original question can my retail version be used to repair or recover his OS or can I do a clean install and use his product key no.?

[glc]

Okay - terminology.

There are 3 types of "retail" XP CD's. Generic OEM (like what you would buy from Newegg, advertised as OEM), full retail (expensive), and retail upgrade (about the same price as generic OEM).

You can use your CD if and ONLY IF it's a generic OEM, and it's the SAME version as what's on his COA sticker (Home, Pro, or Media Center).

Examples:

OEM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116515
Retail upgrade: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837116196
Full retail: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837116195

[phantomtres]

Thanks for the help, unfortunately I have XP Pro full retail with service pack 1 and his is XP Pro with service pack 2 and since it's a compaq it's probably OEM.

[glc]

It's definitely OEM. Service pack level doesn't matter. You CAN use your retail, but you will have to use YOUR key and activation.

[cavedave]

Recently my computer has gone through some rough times. Throughout the past few weeks I've struggled with the sound all of a sudden sporatically stop working about 15-40 minutes after startup, the blue screen of death would pop up telling me I had total system failure, CD Boot fail, Memory Dumps and a slew of other scary sounding problems. Not sure how it happened but I think my computer put itself through some sort of PC Restore function, clearing all of my cache's and such. But now the problem is this: my 80gb hard drive is full to the brim, but i can only find 40gb worth of files. Most of my media (pictures, movies, music, games) are all missing. Some of the files and icons that were on my desktop are missing. I tried booting in safe mode, going to documents and settings and reseting the security options as I was told to do on some random sites here and there but I've had no luck. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Comp Specs: (built it from the ground up)
Asus P4P-800 Mobo
Intel pentium 4 processer 2.8Ghz HT
1gb Ram
80gb SATA hard drive
Windows XP Pro

[glc]

Remove the hard drive and connect it to another computer with a USB adapter - recover your files, then zero fill it and start from scratch. You also may want to run diagnostics on the hard drive and memory.

[cavedave]

think that's my only option? by zero fill it do you mean format? i don't have an xp disc/auth key to put back on if i start from scratch with the hard drive.

[glc]

i don't have an xp disc/auth key to put back on if i start from scratch with the hard drive.

Better go buy one.

Zero fill is more than just a format - it completely wipes the drive. When things get that screwed up, it's the BEST thing to do.

[cavedave]

ugh, i was afraid of that. money problems right now, can't really afford to drop any money on XP for a while with gas money, rent money, college, etc... Is there anything I might be able to do in safe mode to access those files or maybe a freeware program that will retrieve them? i'm graspin for straws here, i appreciate your help greatly. if i do throw the hard drive into another comp, i'll be able to access those files without any trouble?

[glc]

I hesitate to recommend you do ANYTHING till you can recover your files, and the best way to do that is as I described.