All desktop icons missing in windows XP

[Astridos]

I have recently re-installed Windows XP, SP2 on a workstation, but now all my desktop icons are no longer visible.

Have already checked the display settings and this is set to 'show desktop icons'.

Strange thing is that I can see the content of the desktop by going to C:\documents and settings\%userprofile%\desktop.

Anybody have any fixes for this?

[SiMar]

Im not sure if this will help, but you could go to folders/programs etc through the start menu, right click on whatever you need and scroll down to create shortcut. Then drag it onto the desktop.
A similar thing happened with desktop folders/icons when I re-installed with Serv pack 2 and this solved the problem.

I hope this has helped you out.

Simon

[great_canadian]

Try this
right click on the desktop
put your mouse over "Arrange Icons By" until it expands
notice in the expanded box there is an option that says "show desktop icons". If there is no checkmark beside it, then your icons will be hidden. Just click on it and that should fix you up. Let us know.

[great_canadian]

Sorry I missed this sentence in your post

"Have already checked the display settings and this is set to 'show desktop icons'."

Ignore my redundant suggestion.

[Astridos]

Originally Posted by SiMar

Im not sure if this will help, but you could go to folders/programs etc through the start menu, right click on whatever you need and scroll down to create shortcut. Then drag it onto the desktop.
A similar thing happened with desktop folders/icons when I re-installed with Serv pack 2 and this solved the problem.

I hope this has helped you out.

Simon

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your reply. I have already tried dragging and dropping the items to the desktop, but they just disappear into endless telletubbie land...
I can make a copy of the files and these will stick to the desktop, but really looking for a better solution\workaround than that.
I have rebuild the PC recently and installed SP2. Might have to do it again, unless somebody knows a quicker and easier solution?

Astrid

[lemurbot]

This happened to me. Turns out the "My Computer" "My Network Places" and the recycle bin icons had somehow moved over to my second monitor, which I had active but didn't have anything hooked up to at the time. You might want to check that.

[MAABster]

I had the same problem for several weeks. I loaded an XP disk with SP2, (I know, more problems), but I now have my desktop icons, taskbar, and Start button in view. One thing I no longer have is my internet connection. I have DSL at home, and now my network connection doesn't work. I had it working through the task manager. THAT was a pain in the butt, but at least it worked. So, if you want your desktop back, I suggest you reload the OS. Maybe you only want to load SP1 with it, though.