Problem
You login to the computer and just see a black screen. You are able to move the cursor but cannot see any desktop icons or the start menu.
Solution
- On another computer with the same version of Windows (XP, Vista, 7) go to C:\Windows
- Copy the file ‘explorer’ onto a USB stick or CD/DVD
(To make sure it’s the correct file, right click it and click Properties it should say Type of file: Application) - Then on the problem computer:
Connect the USB or insert the disc you saved the explorer file on to - Press Ctrl + Alt + Del
(If using Vista or above you will need to click Start Task Manager after) - In the Task Manager, click File -> New Task
- Click Browse…
- Navigate to where the disc or USB is
- Right click the explorer file and click Copy
- Go to C:\
- Right click the Windows folder and click Paste
- Now click Cancel in the Browse window and you will come back to the ‘Create New Task’ window
- Type in explorer and press Enter
- The desktop and start menu should now appear and work when you next start the computer