All Icons missing

[Pat]

THis is probably not the right place to ask this particular question, but
after 4 hours of searching around, I am a bit frustrated and hope someone can
help me. All of the icons have disappeared from my desktop. The 1/2" or so
wide bar at the bottom of the screen (that usually has the clock, Start
button, etc.) is also missing. When I minimize a screen, it "floats" just
above the place where that bottom toolbar normally is. Screen saver is
there, programs are present on the harddrive, documents are where they should
be, just no desktop icons or bottom bar. I have been able to get into
various stored docs by writing an email to myself with an attachment.
Instead of actually attaching something, I was able to open the program
(Word, Excel, etc.) and then close the document. Minimized windows for the
ones I need to use today are now 'floating' as described above. I can move
them around (stack, move to different spots on the screen, etc.

I strongly suspect our kitten stepped on a key combination that made this
happen, but haven't a clue how to undo it or even what to call what's
happened. As you can tell, I am **not** very good at this sort of thing.
Can anyone help me or guide me?

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Mary Sauer]

Go here if you are using Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 195 Column 2

 

[Pat]

OK, have clicked on the correct line and column, saved it to the desktop, run
it. It "says" that it will close Windows Explorer when it is done. THen a
box saying "Finished" appears. Windows Explorer still hasn't closed yet and
it's been about 10 minutes. Do I need to close it myself? What happens if
whatever this fix is doesn't work? Will I then be totally unable to get back
online since there will be no icons, tskbar, etc to use in navigation?

 

[Mary Sauer]

You need to run the utility. It is a registry fix.

 

[urmyown]

Have you tried using your Restore System program located in the Accessories
Menu. Restoring to yesterday or even hours before you noticed this might fix
the program.