What's up with this?

[Keith M]

A little over a week ago, I was merrily computing away when I discovered that some of my basic functions (Recycle Bin, My Computer, My Documents, etc.) have disappeared into cyberspace. Any attempt to access any of these functions results in a complete computer lock-up, and the only way I can go on is to power down and do a re-boot.

Has anyone ever heard of this? If so, is there any solution for the problem short of trashing my computer and starting with a new one?

 

[Grand_Poobah]

Which operating system (XP, 2000, 98, etc.)? If we know, you may be able to roll back to a former state.

Do you have anti-virus installed? Is it updated?

Do you have anti-spyware? Is it current?

 

[Keith M]

Windows XP (the pop-up king). I haven't installed or updated any anti-virus or anti-spyware programs since I bought the computer a couple years ago. I just have the basics. I also avoid opening attachments from any unknown e-mail sources, deleting them instead...

 

[dianetavegia]

You can always go to system restore back to a day you know you HAD these functions.

BTW.... One of our recent XP updates loaded a Pop Up Blocker and I never have pop ups anymore!

 

[Keith M]

Thanks, Diane, but I tried the system restore and the computer tells me there have been no changes to the system...go figure.

 

[Grand_Poobah]

Consider these:

AVG:
www.grisoft.com

Adaware:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

 

[exscentric]

Can you find them via Windows explorer?

You might try clicking tools in windows explorer and choose folder options, dig around and see if you see anything.

Also dig around in the security center and see if you can find anything.

It sounds like something has locked you out. Have you started logging on differently?

You might try logging on as administrator and see if you can use them.

I've had some xp updates change settings on me of late so that might be what happened.

 

[Trotter]

Download Microsoft AntiSpyware. It is free, and it is good (did I just say that about something from Microsoft???). Well, they bought out a company and rebranded it.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en

AVG is good. So is Avast. You can find both on MajorGeeks.com.

Avast: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download1968.html

AVG: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download886.html

While you are at it, download a firewall, too.

ZoneAlarm: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download388.html

or

Sygate: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3356.html

Set your anti-virus and firewall to start up with Windows. Microsoft AntiVirus will do this automatically, but I'm not sure about the others.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[Victory in Jesus]

Right-click on a blank area on the desktop and select from the popout menu "Properties".

Click the "desktop" tab and then click the button "customize desktop". Under the "General" tab, you will find the desktop icons to check. They should reappear on your desktop.

 

[Keith M]

Thanks, Trotter! Your links helped. As of this afternoon the computer functions are restored.

Thanks also to everyone else who posted ideas!

 

[Ben W]

Definalty put AVG antivirus on your PC, it is free of charge and I can tell you that it is not wise not to have anti virus protection as a microsoft user, things may seem fine, but most viruses these days use your pc to remotley attack other pc's with viruses and to skim for peoples personal details online for spam attacks.

 

[Trotter]

Bang on, Ben.

Being online without virus protection, as well as a firewall, is basically begging to be had. Both are available for free, but most don't know that, nor do they know where to find them. That's where we computer geeks come in!

Even if a virus doesn't destroy your computer, it can damage your operating system enough to have to reinstall it (not repair, but reinstall). Reinstalling Windows wipes out everything on your hard drive... all of your pictures, all of your programs, all of your games, all of your saved files, everything.

When I work on someone's computer, reinstalling the OS is a last gasp option. If I can salvage the OS enough to repair it, I will... at all costs.

In Christ,
Trotter