Desktop and Windows Explorer Merged?

[Bushice]

I am Running Windows XP PRO on a new Dell Dimension 2400 desktop computer that is not on a network. I have three user accounts set up, with me as the only administrator and my account is password locked, no on e else has access but me. I have Zone Alarm and NAV auto protect on at boot up for all desktops. Early this morning my daughter logged on to her account, used it for internet access then left the desktop and the internet link active(open). I logged on after that and found the following.

My desktop was a single image picture yesterday, with a dozen icons. Today there is a vertical Blue band about 2 inches wide on the left of the screen, with drop down links in the blue band. The band looks similar to the control panel "classic view" Style.
The picture and icons that used to be my full desktop are still there, but they are no longer full screen, they are moved over to the right and now occupy about 80% of the screen. I cannot right click on the blue band area but I can on the rest of the desktop, but I have not been able to go into display to change it back successfully to full screen.

The Drop Down links in the blue band section are:
1. "Folder Tasks (the sub links for this one are "make a new folder" and "Share a new folder"),
2. "Other Links"(The Sub links for this one are "My Documents" "Shared Documents" "My Network Places"
3. "Details"(no sublinks, only an indication that this is now my "Desktop"

When I click on my "Quick launch" icon for "Windows Explorer", it takes me back to this combination desktop / blue band thing.

I tried going back to a restore point from the day before when everything was fine, but it did not remove this band.

The other weird thing that happened at the same time is that the two small green linked TVs in my taskbar that indicated I am on line with my dial up internet account have disappeared. They are no longer in the taskbar, not even in the hidden section.

I ran NAV, as well as Ad-aware. Nothing.

Any ideas on how I can recover my original desktop, and get my original windows explorer to be separated from the desktop, as well as recover my active dial-up "linked tvs" icons in the taskbar?

Thanks.

[Bushice]

Problem Solved, No need of a reply.

Apparently it was a registry error, and I was given a link to download a fix that worked.

[dusk]

Originally Posted by Bushice

Problem Solved, No need of a reply.

Apparently it was a registry error, and I was given a link to download a fix that worked.

I have the same problem now. How can I fix it?

[nos4a2]

[code]Originally Posted by Bushice
Problem Solved, No need of a reply. 

Apparently it was a registry error, and I was given a link to download a fix that worked.[/code]

whats up I have a friend that is having the same problem that you guys were having and was wondering if anyone could help me out to get that link, so that i could help him remove windows explorer from his desktop any help or the link would be greatly appreciated.

[jomsr]

I have this problem using xp home. What is the link to download a fix? Or what is the register entry?
Thanks!

[jomsr]

I found the answer at Doug Knox website. dougknox.com
under "WinXP Fixes" heading.
"Remove Common Task From Desktop" on right side of page.
Double click it and follow the instructions.
It worked for me.
Thanks