Desktop Icons, Start Menu will not Load

Over the past week we have encountered this problem eight times. Follow the simple steps below to get your computer running properly.


Symptoms: After turning on your computer the Desktop Icons and Start Menu do not load. When you press CTRL+ALT+DEL to enter the task manager, then go to File>Run and type explorer.exe, the Start Menu and Desktop Icons flash and immediately disappear.

Cause: The problem exists because of an internal conflict with Google Desktop that causes explorer.exe to crash.

Solution: Remove Google Desktop immediately.

Instructions: When you start your computer and the Desktop Icons and Start Menu fail to load:

• Hold down CTRL+ALT+DEL at the same time
• Click Task Manager
• Go to File>Run and type CMD in the box that appears
• After the command prompt loads, type appwiz.exe and hit Enter
• Add/Remove programs will load. Scroll down to Google Desktop and Remove the application
• Reboot your computer. When it restarts your Desktop Icons and Start Menu should load properly

PCR will be closed for Labor Day

Pat's Computer Rescue will be closed Labor Day Weekend, Sept 1 - 3.

Please have a safe and happy holiday!

Final Thoughts on Vista

Revisiting the topic of Vista

After trying Vista for a few months I have decided to switch back to Windows XP. The main reasons for the switch are:

• My 1 1/2 year-old laptop just can't handle Vista. To run Vista it needs a better Video Card (256MB), better Processor (Dual Core), and more Memory (at least 2GB).
• The benefits are outweighed by all the bugs I encountered.
  
• Vista is not compatible with certain items I need, such as my Alltel Broadband Card and Konica 2400w Printer.

Even though I decided to make the switch back to Windows XP, there were aspects of Vista that I was impressed with. However, just like with the Windows XP Service Pack 2, I feel it will take Microsoft around three years to fix all of Vista’s major bugs.

Here is what I enjoyed about Vista:

• Improved interface- file browsing, etc.
• Vista side bar
• Greatly improved search options

Many New Articles to Come

Lately I have been very busy with PCR and have not had much time to update the blog. I apologize for the lack of posts but plan to add new updates on a regular basis.

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to test and evaluate many new products and programs, and would like to continue sharing my thoughts and opinions of them with you.

Please check back often for up-to-date articles and reviews.