Hi there, I really hope someone can help me as I'm at my wits end here. My problem is this:
Whenever I try to switch on my computer windows will load but I can only see my background - no icons, no start bar, no anything. Right clicking doesnt work, however I can open the task manager with CTRL+ALT+DEL and from here I can open certain programmes. I have tried everything I can think of over the past month (when the problem began) but I'm stuck. I also get a message upon start up saying that my version of Windows XP is illegal and I may be the victim of counterfieting, this has only started happening since the other problem started - but I bought my cpu etc legally and windows was already installed. To make matters worse I dont have a copy of Windows on CD, only a restore CD that restores everything to original settings (thus loosing my data). I have tried the solutions given in the FAQ thread relating to this (ie - typing explorer.exe in task manager - but the start bar simply flashes up for a brief second and dissapears. I have also installed the Nimba virus fix that was linked with no success.) I currently dont have a anti virus installed (stupid I know) as my last one (bullguard) went mental so I uninstalled it and was saving for another. I have quite a lot of video data (51 GB worth as I do a lot of video editing) - which I can still view through the task manager - but can't edit as my copy of Adobe Premier wont work. I have a 1GB memory and a couple of writable CDs but its a lot of info to save. I have just bought a 250GB external hard drive (USB) but I cant transfer to this as for some reason the CPU wont recognise it - I have a feeling its because its new hardware and may need setting up - but since I have no start menu I cant. Is there a way to install new hardware through the task manager? At least this way I can transfer my data then do a system restore. If not its going to take a lot of time to transfer. Ideally I'd like to be able to fix my cpu without the reboot but its looking less likely.
My computer is around 1 year old, 200GB hard drive, 1 GB memory, ATI Radeon, AMD 64 athalon and Platina model.
Any help anyone can give would be most appreciated.