Windows loading for a second

[Casper]

Hello all,

Just a question. I'm running Windows 2000 on my laptop. A few weeks ago this started happening...

Windows loads, the task bar comes up for about 2 seconds then vanishes and I'm left with a blank background (like the one that is visible as the task bar is initially loading).

The only way I can access programs is by Ctrl-Alt-Del then Task Manager then New Task. Apart from this being awfully annoying I can't load all programs (eg, IE). Also, the programs that do load are about double in size-they're huge.

Would anybody know what may be causing this or how I might be able to fix it? I've tried loading in Safe Mode, the same thing happens.

I'd much appreciate any advice...

Thanks

[andyms18a]

do you get any desk top shortcuts shown ?
if not try runing explorer.exe if that dont work try an over the top repair install change your bios to boot from the win2k cd and chose repair
if you do have icons showing on the desk top move the mouse to the bottam of the screan to see if the task bar is hidden all so try right click on the desk top hit propties and and look at the last tab settings see if your screan resalutions are set to low

[Casper]

thanks for the response...

there are no desktop icons showing
i've tried running explorer.exe-this doesn't work
what do you mean by over the top repair install change your bios to boot from the wink2k cd and chose repair
you kinda lost me there...

[andyms18a]

if you can get task manager runing just incerte your windows 2000cd and click on new task in task manager and find setup on the 2000 cd and run it it will ask you if you wish to repair your currant version of windows just select yes