This will not solve the cause, but it may get you a desktop with icons if all
of your files are still in existence and in the right place. And it will be a
starting point. -- For win98 SE, cut the following (including quote marks):

"C:\win98rel1\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick launch\Show Desktop.scf"

Press Winkey+R.

Paste the above cut (OR type it) into the Run box. (Looks like a mess to type,
I cut it from my run window.

Press enter.

Voila?

......OR......

You may get by just by hitting the WINKEY (usually between CTRL and Alt
on the left) and using the START lists....assuming that comes up as normally
is the case.

.....OF COURSE.....

There are about a gazillion reasons this could be happening...view desktop
as web page, hide icons, hide toolbar, etc. And some malware may have
made those settings for you and it may be a matter of undoing the settings
and removing malware, spyware, etc. from your machine after that.
Check MSCONFIG and see if anything funky is running. IF you do get it up,
it will probably best not to shut it down until you have to OR you are satisfied
that the problem is fixed.

FACE(Outgoing wordwrap turned off for this message.)



On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 16:07:35 +1000, "its only me" in microsoft.public.win98.performance wrote:

I suspect the problem is a virus however I cannot access anything on the pc
even in safe mode and selective start-up is no help either.The only thing on
the screen is the wallpaper.....no icons,start button ect.
Any help would be appreciated