Start Menu is completely blank

Just a wild guess but try going to C:\Users\Insert_Username_Here\Appdata. If you do not see the appdata folder go to Folder and Search Options under the organise menu in windows explorer and check show hidden files and folders. Right click the appdata folder and uncheck the hidden checkbox. Apply to all files, folders and subfolders. Reboot and see what happens
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 15 L502x
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 2630QM @ 2.00GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics 3000, nVidia GT525M
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    750GB Seagate HDD @ 7200RPM
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
    Internet Speed
    2.5 mb/s down, 0.36 up
OK... Is there anything in the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu folder (folder is hidden)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 15 L502x
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 2630QM @ 2.00GHz
    Memory
    6GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics 3000, nVidia GT525M
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    750GB Seagate HDD @ 7200RPM
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
    Internet Speed
    2.5 mb/s down, 0.36 up
Hello, and welcome to the Forums, do you have a restore pt to go to before this issue happened ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
ok when i was on my computer everything closed out and my desktop icons where really dull and when i clicked on the start menu some of my icons where gone so i rebooted my computer there where no icons on my computer except (my computer,system,restore,and the recycle bin) when i clicked on the start menu it was completely blank. i then went to my computer>(C: and it only read BOOTSECT.BAK so i went folder options selected "show hidden files only" and only some of the desktop icons reappeared and the files where back but ALL of them is dull and my start menu is still completely blank

start menu.jpg

@tekno yes and here it is...

files2.jpg

@yard yes but when i tried it says that system restore was unsuccessful
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

Re: HELP!!!ALL files are dull and desktop icons are missing

monmil said:
ok when i was on my computer everything closed out and my desktop icons where really dull and when i clicked on the start menu some of my icons where gone so i rebooted my computer there where no icons on my computer except (my computer,system,restore,and the recycle bin) when i clicked on the start menu it was completely blank. i then went to my computer>(C: and it only read BOOTSECT.BAK so i went folder options selected "show hidden files only" and only some of the desktop icons reappeared and the files where back but ALL of them is dull and my start menu is still completely blank

View attachment 24697
Click to expand...

I just did some research on the Bootsect.Bak and i found this : Bootsect.bak and boot.bak are backup files from the previous xp bootloader.
They aren't neededed for Vista, and they can be safely deleted.
So , this brings up a question for you . Did you upgrade from XP to Vista ? Do you have the Vista dvd , we may have to do a clean/repair install if so. I am leaning towards a clean reinstall of your Vista OS
Check out these instructions for a clean install : Installing and reinstalling Windows Vista
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
Hi,

If you click on the "All programs" icon, are there any items listed.

This sounds as though the menu history has been cleared?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP-Pavilion m9280.uk-a
    CPU
    2.30 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9600 Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    ASUSTek Computer INC. NARRA3 3.02
    Memory
    3582 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory (4 Gig)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS NVIDIA Geforce GTS450
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition 7.1 Audio (HP drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2408 24.0" (Dual monitor)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1200, 1920 * 1200
    Hard Drives
    3*500 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
    Plus 2x USB (160Gig each) external HDD
    BluRay & DVD Weiters
    HL-DT-ST BD-RE GGW-H20L SCSI CdRom (Bluray RW) Device
    AlViDrv BDDVDROM SCSI CdRom (Blueray) Device
    TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-H653N SCSI CdRom
    Internet Speed
    40 Meg
I didn't upgrade to vista i have windows vista home premium and i don't have a disk for it when i click on all programs there's only a few programs but when i go to my programs list all the programs is listed
 

My Computer

System One

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP-Pavilion m9280.uk-a
    CPU
    2.30 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9600 Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    ASUSTek Computer INC. NARRA3 3.02
    Memory
    3582 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory (4 Gig)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS NVIDIA Geforce GTS450
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition 7.1 Audio (HP drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2408 24.0" (Dual monitor)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1200, 1920 * 1200
    Hard Drives
    3*500 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
    Plus 2x USB (160Gig each) external HDD
    BluRay & DVD Weiters
    HL-DT-ST BD-RE GGW-H20L SCSI CdRom (Bluray RW) Device
    AlViDrv BDDVDROM SCSI CdRom (Blueray) Device
    TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-H653N SCSI CdRom
    Internet Speed
    40 Meg
Could be a Registry problem.
Run the file ExplorerAdvncd.bat,
and paste the contents of the text file ExplorerAdvncd.txt in your next reply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5738G-644G32MN
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo - clockspeed 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer JV50
    Memory
    RAM 4 GB - SO-DIMM DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce - G105M - 512 MB
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768 Pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS543232L9A300
    320 GB - Type SATA - Speed 5400 rpm
    Keyboard
    Azerty
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Mouse M505
    Internet Speed
    Currently 14.5 MB/Sec which means 1.8 MB/Sec effective
Hi,

I have recently had the same problem and I beleive it was caused by Malware. Reason I suspect Malware is that I lost desktop, everything in C:/drive was gone (later found they were all just hidden) except BOOTSECT.BAK. (I posted a thread here about it). I also had error messages and one that was pretending to be a Windows System Restore Menu trying to get me to click a link to fix the issues (by purchasing something). I also lost access to Task Mgr and lost all history, quicklaunch etc. So effectively I struggled to even start a program.

Malware Bytes cleared some malware. Which I have detailed in my thread. Though I had to run 3 times, including SAFE and normal boots.

However, it did not unhide all of the folders or re-populate menus etc. I have had to manually unhide everything and there are still things I can't find. I have seen a few threads about this on the net whilst searching for fix, they all seem recent, but that may be just the ones I saw.

yes i have the files back but why is my start menu still blank ??

would love to know too.

Out of interest do you recall what Malware was found?

im not sure but i do have malwarebytes installed
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"ServerAdminUI"=dword:00000000
"Hidden"=dword:00000001
"ShowCompColor"=dword:00000001
"HideFileExt"=dword:00000001
"DontPrettyPath"=dword:00000000
"ShowInfoTip"=dword:00000001
"HideIcons"=dword:00000000
"MapNetDrvBtn"=dword:00000000
"WebView"=dword:00000001
"Filter"=dword:00000000
"SuperHidden"=dword:00000000
"SeparateProcess"=dword:00000000
"AutoCheckSelect"=dword:00000000
"IconsOnly"=dword:00000001
"ShowTypeOverlay"=dword:00000001
"ListviewAlphaSelect"=dword:00000001
"ListviewShadow"=dword:00000001
"ListviewWatermark"=dword:00000001
"TaskbarAnimations"=dword:00000001
"StartMenuInit"=dword:00000003
"TaskbarSizeMove"=dword:00000000
"TaskbarGlomming"=dword:00000000
"Start_MinMFU"=dword:00000009
"AlwaysShowMenus"=dword:00000001
"FolderContentsInfoTip"=dword:00000001
"FriendlyTree"=dword:00000001
"ShowSuperHidden"=dword:00000000
"ClassicViewState"=dword:00000000
"PersistBrowsers"=dword:00000000
"ShowPreviewHandlers"=dword:00000001
"SharingWizardOn"=dword:00000001
"TypeAhead"=dword:00000000
"TaskbarGlomLevel"=dword:00000002
"Start_TrackDocs"=dword:00000000
"Start_TrackProgs"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowUser"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowControlPanel"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowHelp"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowMyComputer"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowMyDocs"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowMyMusic"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowMyGames"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowMyPics"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowPrinters"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowRecentDocs"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowRun"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowSearch"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowSetProgramAccessAndDefaults"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowNetConn"=dword:00000000
"Start_ShowNetPlaces"=dword:00000000
 

My Computer

System One

First of all, create a Restore Point.
Then download the file StrtMn.reg.
Run the file StrtMn.reg, and confirm with Yes.


For more information about customizing the Start Menu
click on the image above

​
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5738G-644G32MN
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo - clockspeed 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer JV50
    Memory
    RAM 4 GB - SO-DIMM DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce - G105M - 512 MB
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768 Pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS543232L9A300
    320 GB - Type SATA - Speed 5400 rpm
    Keyboard
    Azerty
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Mouse M505
    Internet Speed
    Currently 14.5 MB/Sec which means 1.8 MB/Sec effective
Try Eset online Virus Scanner too. Might not help your problem, but its the best free anti virus sofware and doesnt clog your system lie mc afee and norton.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 5315
    Memory
    2 gb
    Hard Drives
    C drive
    D Drive
    Case
    Standard Acer Aspire Case
    Cooling
    Cooling Pad and USB Desklamp/fan combo
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    DSL 20mb/s
    Other Info
    I run a 60watt speakers from my headphone jack, and I got 10port USB HUB USB Wireless adapter foer the internet
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