Windows XP, only loads to desktop wallpaper...Then Nothing

[speedy2]

Ok. This computer is a Dell Dimension 3100 with XP SP3

It had some problems before so I did a repair install of XP. All went fine. Until the reboot after. Now it goes to the desktop.....Loads the wallpaper and cursor...and then that's it. I can't pull up task manager either.

I've tried safe mode, but that tells me that I need to activate windows, which can't be done in safe mode, and to restart in normal mode.

Any ideas?

 

[speedy2]

Almost 1 hour after posting this and the computer is still sitting there with only the wallpaper up. :-( But, at least there's an hour glass next to the cursor lol...Well now I look back over and the hourglass is gone. lol

 

[RebateMonger]

Is the XP Install CD you used for the Repair Install also slipstreamed to SP3?

 

[speedy2]

Is the XP Install CD you used for the Repair Install also slipstreamed to SP3?

It's a OEM CD I bought and it is SP3.

 

[RebateMonger]

Hmm...don't know what the answer is. For future reference though, historically, Dell will send replacement Windows install media and driver media upon request. It has one big advantage: Activation is never required.

The only thing I don't know for sure is how many years that disk replacement policy is good for. Below is the Dell site for Win7 replacement disks. I know they had a site for other OSes at one time. A phone call should help.

https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

 

[bruceb]

Please give this fix a try and see what happens:

Please try the following link to Doug Knox's web site and run the fix for
the .EXE & .LNK Files:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

From the sound of it, Explorer.exe (or any .exe) is not running
hence, no desktop or task manager

 

[RebateMonger]

It had some problems before so I did a repair install of XP. All went fine.

It might be useful to know what the problems were before the Repair Install.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Probably something wrong with explorer. Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del or Ctrl+Shift+Esc, going to the applications tab, then making a new task called "Explorer.exe" (no quotes).

 

[bruceb]

I am pretty certain that fix I linked to will correct his issues.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Was this due to a virus? Perhaps the userinit.exe got hosed?

 

[speedy2]

I won't be able to mess with it until Tuesday. Thanks for the info. Before was kinda the same deal. There were ZERO "svchost" instances in explorer. It would login in safe mode. Normal mode would login but I couldn't do much or it would just freeze. I could get my computer to open, but nothing would show and it would lock. When I would open task manager I would stop explorer and then when I tried to start it again...nothing. nada. Then go back to task manager and select Restart or shutdown nothing would happen. That's when I decided to do the repair install.

 

[RebateMonger]

Well, it was decent odds it was a malware infection to begin with. While a Windows System Restore can often help, a Repair Install is less likely to help because it doesn't do much to the Registry, nor does it remove unwanted additional files or programs.

You might have had better luck with a manual (DOS-level) System Restore from the Recovery Console.

 

[speedy2]

I tried the System restore in Recovery Console but the only recovery selections are dated today! I think maybe doing the repair install killed all the ones it had?

 

[marmasatt]

Probably something wrong with explorer. Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del or Ctrl+Shift+Esc, going to the applications tab, then making a new task called "Explorer.exe" (no quotes).

This. Sounds like you disabled "explorer" somehow.....

 

[Devilpapaya]

Was this due to a virus? Perhaps the userinit.exe got hosed?

If it's loading the wallpaper it has to have logged him in so I don't think userinit could be to blame.

I'm thinking explorer errors or the activation program is trying to load (blocking explorer) but failing to load. IMHO reinstall would be quick and easy. Get a boot CD to backup files.

 

[speedy2]

Yeah I think I'm going to do that. Will I need to slipstream some drivers since this only has usb and no ps/2 ports?

 

[alkemyst]

see if you can launch safe mode with command prompt and then from the command line run explorer.exe

This really sounds like the repair was with an SP2 CD. I just ran into this myself. I have to reassign EXE to applications, install SP3 and then I was good to go.

 

[bruceb]

That is what the fix linked to in post #06 is all about at Doux Knox. To fix the association with .EXE and .LNK files .. Clearly the OP missed it or doesn't understand what it does and why to use it. Repost of info below:

Please give this fix a try and see what happens:

Please try the following link to Doug Knox's web site and run the fix for
the .EXE & .LNK Files:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

From the sound of it, Explorer.exe (or any .exe) is not running
hence, no desktop or task manager

 

[speedy2]

That is what the fix linked to in post #06 is all about at Doux Knox. To fix the association with .EXE and .LNK files .. Clearly the OP missed it or doesn't understand what it does and why to use it. Repost of info below:

Please give this fix a try and see what happens:

Please try the following link to Doug Knox's web site and run the fix for
the .EXE & .LNK Files:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

From the sound of it, Explorer.exe (or any .exe) is not running
hence, no desktop or task manager

I can't even get into windows to apply these fixes. Unless I can do these fixes from the command prompt as well?

 

[dpodblood]

Seems like the best thing to do in this situation would be to simply back up your data and do a full re-install. A repair is never going to be as good as formatting and starting fresh.

 

[bruceb]

You should be able to run them from Safe Mode wether Windows is activated or not.

 

[speedy2]

In my first post I explained that even in safe mode it told me I cannot activate in safe mode. Which means as soon as I exit that window, It logs back out. Well actually, it never even logs in. In safe mode I'm pretty much stuck at the login screen.

 

[bruceb]

You will need to get to a command prompt by using a Boot Disc

Then follow below:

Reg import useage:

REG IMPORT xp_exe_fix.reg

REG IMPORT linkfile_fix.reg

This will import registry entrys from the above files.

The files from the link should be downloaded and saved.
They should be .reg files (2 total to fix your problems)

 

[alkemyst]

In my first post I explained that even in safe mode it told me I cannot activate in safe mode. Which means as soon as I exit that window, It logs back out. Well actually, it never even logs in. In safe mode I'm pretty much stuck at the login screen.

There are a few safe modes to try. I mentioned the Command Prompt one. There is also a VGA one.