Desktop Icons Not Working, RESTART Works, Then Stop Working Again.

Desktop Icons Not Working, Restart Works, Then Stop Working Again.

I use Internet Explorer and am on the computer many hours a day. I have a Dell Inspiron 620 with Windows 7 Pro 64.

This problem started a few weeks ago. The desktop icons stop working but start working again after a RESTART. I've tried to bypass the desktop by using START to access programs. This has limited success. I tried putting a desktop folder with my favorite websites on the START menu but that causes the entire screen to stop working when the icon problem occurs. I also tried putting DESKTOP on the TASKBAR. That creates the same problem as with START. The whole screen stops working and I must force a restart by shutting off the computer by pushing the COMPUTER ON button. Once it restarts, I run the computer until the malfunction occurs. Once I removed the DESKTOP from the TASKBAR, the problem only effects the desktop as before.

Do you have any ideas?

You might try a new (temporary) test profile.

And these steps might help:
Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

UsernameIssues

I tried the "clean startup" but the problem still occurred.

Could you explain the temporary test profile?

Create* a temporary user account. That will create a new set of user profile folders - including a desktop folder. Restart the computer and log on to that temporary/test account and spent some time there (surfing or whatever) to see if things lock up while using that account.

If they do lock up - then the problem is system wide.

If they do not lock up - then your normal user account (profile) might be corrupt.


*let us know if you need the steps to do that.

OK, I'll give that a try tomorrow.

One more thing, if it matters I don't know. In PICTURES, the desktop icons are reproduced under C:\Users\"username". That has been there for a few years though. It just popped up one day.

UsernameIssues

What I did was to use GUEST as my additional user account. I run both accounts at the same time because GUEST has so few programs and none of my files. I placed my most used websites into a folder in FAVORITES on my Internet Explorer.

The primary account (administrator) still locks up occasionally but I'm able to open various programs off of the START menu. I keep using the primary account till it locks. The GUEST account seems unaffected by this.

I was having trouble with Windows Live Mail right around the time this problem started. I'm not sure if they are connected though. I had to uninstall then re-install Windows Live to get my e-mails working again. So far, so good. I have a second desktop computer in which to compare things with. Both are Windows 7 Pro.

I use Norton Security too.

Another event has happened. When I tried to open PICTURES on the locked up primary START menu, a window popped up with EXPLORER.EXE.......SYSTEM CALL FAILED.

Just as a test, uninstall Norton Security and install MSE.
Let us know if the lock ups still happen.

If it does lock up while using MSE, move to a new user account.

Bullfighter said:

UsernameIssues

What I did was to use GUEST as my additional user account. I run both accounts at the same time because GUEST has so few programs and none of my files. I placed my most used websites into a folder in FAVORITES on my Internet Explorer.

The primary account (administrator) still locks up occasionally but I'm able to open various programs off of the START menu. I keep using the primary account till it locks. The GUEST account seems unaffected by this.

I was having trouble with Windows Live Mail right around the time this problem started. I'm not sure if they are connected though. I had to uninstall then re-install Windows Live to get my e-mails working again. So far, so good. I have a second desktop computer in which to compare things with. Both are Windows 7 Pro.

I use Norton Security too.

Hi,

Sorry for the delay. Did you work after you uninstalled Norton? please let us know we'll help you.
Thanks!

Praveen
Norton Support.

NortonSupport, UsernameIssues,

I decided to use Norton's remote virus removal services. I talked to a few employees and finally got a technician who worked on my computer remotely, for about 40 minutes while I watched. I thought that would be the solution. The next day, the problem occurred again.

I decided to keep Norton Security but start a whole new account.

I copied files over to the new administrator account, only documents, photos, videos, and eventually started a new Windows Live Mail 2012 program and copied my e-mail achieve over to it. I had to restart Windows Media Player and other programs too. I was at this for 10 hours. Once I did this, I removed my original account, files and all. The main folder is still there with just a few sub folders I can't seem to remove. The one marked "appdata" contains 378mb. The others are empty.

I thought this would end my problem. It didn't. Now I get, not only the desktop freeze, but all controls like START has frozen too. I have to force restart using the computer's main ON button. The computer will work for a while, then the desktop stops again. Very frustrating. My Dell computer was purchased in 2011 and apparently I can no longer get a disc that word restore my computer to its original programming, minus the problems, of course.

I have another computer and a external hard drive I could use to back up all files I want to keep while I could erase the entire hard drive and start again, but I need a recovery disc. I got one for my new Dell computer, thank God, but that doesn't help this Dell!

Is there something else I can do?

One other symptom popped up. While I was on Office to update my programs, an updated download from Microsoft Office was shown so I began to install it. It was to update Microsoft One Note. It was taking forever, so I cancelled it, then removed it. Suddenly an empty folder popped up on my desktop that I was unable to delete. There were a few right click commands on the folder but nothing worked. A few more popped up but I was able to remove all of them a little while later. I'm not sure if these folders are connected with my main problem though.

Is there anyway I can restore this computer?