after rebooting computer desktop icons always disappear

[peto1310]

Hello,
after rebooting my computer, there was always showing "presentation settings" icon in taskbar. Finally, i got it away through "windows mobility center" in control panel, but my desktop icons always keep disappearing after rebooting. If i rightclick desktop, then click view and have a look on "show desktop icons" , it is checked. If I uncheck it and check it again, my icons will appear. But after rebooting the computer, it disappears again. Have you got any idea how to fix this problem ? Try to help me, this is really annoying.
Thanks.

 

[TimStitt]

Hey, this just started with me this evening as well. it's been on my list of things to do. Now that I have company I think I might look into it further for both of us..... watch this space.

 

[TimStitt]

My scenario
After reboot the icons disappear the taskbar, background etc is still there and I have to reactivate the desktop icons in the same manner describer above after every reboot.

Solution
Unfortunately I was lazy tonight and didn't do things in single steps - so here is my exact recreation of what worked for me. You may just want to skip to steps 2and 3 and try that first. There is a lot of room for fine tuning the steps... so post up a quicker way if you fiine-tune our solution.... as mine is fixed I can't put it back to broken.

1. Activate icons by right clicking on desktop, selecting view and un-ticking 'show desktop icons', repeat steps and tick 'show desktop icons'
2. Right click on desktop and select properties.
3. Select change desktop icons. select everything.
4. Repeat step 1
5. Reboot
6. Repeat step 1
7. Repeat steps 2 and 3 this time removing everything except recycle bin
8. Reboot and it works

 

[peto1310]

Sorry, but how do you mean 3. step ? In win 7 I rightclik my desktop, then click "personalize", then "change my desktop icons" , but what after that ? How do you mean "change desktop icons, select evetything" ? Could you explain me that a little bit more ?

 

[TimStitt]

I'm sorry Peto,

I had the wife nagging at me, to get off my PC so she could check her facebook. She prefers my PC to hers... Lol... must do something about that.

I've attached a picture for step 3. Here is some more info..
a) Right click on the desktop and select personalize - this opens the window in the 1st part of the attached picture
b) In the top left select the change desktop icons area and click on it - this will open the window in the second part of the pic.
c) In the desktop icons area select or deselect the tick boxes (depending on what area of teh recreation steps you are up to).

Hope this is a better explanation.

GOod Luck

 

[peto1310]

Never mind Tim.
Now I understand it, but while you were offline I tried to restore system through "System Restore" application, because I didn't want to wait much time . At the end of restoring it showed me "System restoring wasn't successful..." and since that it's always showing me "Presentation settings" icon in taskbar after rebooting. But after few minutes, that icon is automatically closed...little bit strange...

I have just tried your solution, but unfortunately it didn't help me, so my desktop icons are always disappearing after every reboot. If there wasn't showing presentation settings icon in taskbar, maybe your solution would help me. More over, my system speed is much slower since trying system restore. I don't know what to do now, I wouldn't like to reinstall windows...

Have you got any idea now ? : |

 

[TimStitt]

Never mind Tim.
Now I understand it, but while you were offline I tried to restore system through "System Restore" application, because I didn't want to wait much time . At the end of restoring it showed me "System restoring wasn't successful..." and since that it's always showing me "Presentation settings" icon in taskbar after rebooting. But after few minutes, that icon is automatically closed...little bit strange...

I have just tried your solution, but unfortunately it didn't help me, so my desktop icons are always disappearing after every reboot. If there wasn't showing presentation settings icon in taskbar, maybe your solution would help me. More over, my system speed is much slower since trying system restore. I don't know what to do now, I wouldn't like to reinstall windows...

Have you got any idea now ? : |

Of course.... I'm full of ideas.... I'll try to pick you a useful one. :_)

RE: the failed restore - where there any error messages?

I think it's vitally important at this stage that you check the windows system file integrity by opening an administrative command prompt and typing sfc /scannow then pressing enter.

To open the admin CMD prompt, click on the start globe and search for CMD in the search box, when you find it right click on it and open as administrator.

NOTE: The SFC / SCANNOW will scan your windows system files for integrity and replace any that are corrupt or altered (by a virus or blackout or whatever). It will take some time.

 

[TimStitt]

I had another idea... told you I was full of them *grin*

A surmise that you are using a laptop as presentation mode is not available on desktops, so navigate to C:\Windows\System32\mblctr.exe and open the windows mobility centre. Look for a Presentation settings box and cllick on the Turn off button.

ew.. and another idea - also check your power options in control panel make sure they are not on the lowest mode (I can't remember what it's called on laptops but I'm sure it's different to my desktop). Anyway try balanced or high for testing, I have a strange feeling that presentation mode may be enabled to save power.

 

[peto1310]

I just completed system scan and the result is that it didn't find any integrity violations.
You asked me about restoring error messages, but there were no messages. It just showed it hadn't been successful, try other restore point...that's all.

 

[TimStitt]

Well that's good news.... I recommended the SFC due to the restore fail.

Take a look at the other two things that I posted - directly aimed at the desktop icon issue and when we solve that we'll see if your PC is still slow and take a look at that too.

 

[peto1310]

Your last idea finally solved my problem ! :_) It was because of power management. There was thicked the lowest possible mode. Thank you very much indeed. It didn't come on my mind to check power management at all. My system speed is excelent again, as it was before. But why the lowest power mode causes that issue ? I was unaware, that power modes can cause such problems...

 

[TimStitt]

Awesome, I'm glad we fixed it. The power mode was an 'idea' nothing more, so I learnt something too. Win-win!