Everytime I try to restart windows (XP), i cannot get it to start properly. the only thing that shows up properly is the desktop image, no task bar, no icons, nothing. i'm using my laptop to write this. Please help.
So, when you start you have nothing that you can access as far as your programs, control panel or anything? Just a windows picture on your screen? If you can access programs you can doing a system restore to a point that you know was before this problem happened.
Did you do any type of hard drive swapping, partition editing, etc? With windows xp, sometimes when the computer hangs at the log-on screen, it's usually a sign that the registry can not find the next start up files. My recommendation is to download the demo of "paragon justboot corrector" use that to bootup your computer. Verify that your system drive is labeled c: and wasn't changed to something else. For instance if your system drive is labled d: then the registry will not be able to complete the boot cycle because it'll be looking for the startup files in c: drive. demo here http://www.justboot.us/boot_corrector.htm
Absolutely nothing on the desktop, no icons or taskbar, just the desktop wallapaper. Can't access control panel or anything, the windows key on the keyboard doesnt open up the start meanu, nor does ctrl+alt+del work. I do not have a recovery disc. Is there anyway to rent one or buy one? I'm stuck and I cannot do anything. Thanks.
so, you do not even have a copy of Windows handy? That would be the disc that has a "fix windows" option. It will let you install a copy or fix the current copy. If all else fails you may have to install a new copy formating the hard drive. You will lose everything but if you can not fix this it is already lost anyway. There is another disc you can try to get a hold of online or somewhere called Teckiez Toolkit (hope i spelled it right). It is a boot disc and will boot up in DOS before windows loads and give you a lot of options as far as fixing and checking different problems. You just stick it in and restart the PC and it will load up as long as your DVD drive is set to load first, or in DOS before windows load you usually have a small message that will say boot from CD or something along those lines.
I have a copy of Vista Home Premium that was installed on my laptop, but the manufacturer (or whomever is responsible) didn't include a serial number, so I cannot install it on my desktop.
well, i can tell you that you can get copies of Windoes XP and XP Pro easily on the internet but for that you will have to do some research on your own.