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My MPC Transport won’t show icons?

Restore Missing Desktop Icons

When it comes to missing icons, I think that the likely culprit is your operating system - most likely Windows - not your computer hardware. There is nothing about the make or model of your computer that suggests there are icons other than the ones that are on the usual desktop interface that you are used to seeing with Windows.

How to Restore Icons in Windows XP

Here are the steps to restore the icons on Windows XP. The first choice might apply if the option to turn the desktop icons was inadvertently turned off.

1. Right click the desktop
2. Point the cursor to Arrange Icons By
3. Choose Show Desktop Icons

Customize Desktop in Windows XP

The second possibility might result if you recently upgraded to a later version of Windows or performed a clean installation. In this case, the online icon that displays on the desktop is the recycle bin. Here’s how to add the My Computer, My Network Places, Internet Explorer and My Document icons:

1. Right click the desktop and choose Properties
2. On the Desktop tab, choose Customize Desktop
3. Under Desktop Icons, choose the icons that you want to appear
4. Click OK, then OK again

How to Restore Icons in Windows Vista

If you’re running Windows Vista, follow these instructions to restore your missing icons. First of all, the same process might work as applies for XP. Simply right click an empty part of the desktop and then choose Show Desktop Icons.

1. Right click on an empty part of the desktop
2. Choose Personalize
3. From the left side panel, choose Change Desktop Icons
4. Check or uncheck the icons that you want to appear or remove from the desktop
5. Additionally, you can also right click any file or folder and click Send To, and then choose Desktop (create shortcut)
6. Choose OK to apply, then close the Windows and your icons should appear

Corrupt Iconcache.db File

It’s also possible that the iconcache.db file, which is a database of your icons, is damaged. Read this Filetonic Article, specifically the section titled “Corrupt Shortcuts” for details on how to delete and recreate this vital file.

How to Change Icons in Vista

You can also change the icon that appears for different files, folders or programs.

1. Click the icon to choose it
2. Choose Change Icon
3. Select the icon you want and choose OK to apply

Good luck, and let us know if there is anything else that we can help you with.

I can turn my computer on and the background comes up, but no icons or taskbar is showing. I can still go on applications, but only through Task Manager?

Missing icons and a missing taskbar usually occurs when your Windows Explorer and Icon Cache files have been corrupted. Fortunately, you have several options when trying to fix this type of problem with the desktop. I’ll run through them for you.

Resolving Missing Taskbar

When the taskbar is missing, it is usually because of a corrupted explorer.exe file or error. This file is associated with Windows Explorer, which is responsible for the start menu, taskbar, desktop icons, and more. Every once in awhile, something goes awry and it stops working properly. When this happens, the appearance of the desktop changes, typically in the manner that you have described. To get around this problem with the missing taskbar, you just have to give Windows Explorer a little nudge.

Look to the keyboard and select the following combination of keys: CTRL & ALT & DEL. This action creates a list of options for you to select. Launch the Task Manager. Now, click on “File” and then, click on “New Task.” Type in the following “explorer.exe” inside the box labeled “Open.” Click “OK.” The taskbar, desktop, and Start menu should now appear in their normal location on the desktop.

Resolving Missing Icons

If the missing icons have not reappeared, then you might have a corrupted icon cache file. If this is the case, then you need to replace this file. It might sound a bit scary to someone who isn’t used to playing around with the inner workings of the computer, but it really isn’t that difficult to do. First, you need to delete this file: iconcache.db. If you have Windows Vista, you should look for: %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\iconcache.db

If you have Windows XP, look for:

C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Application Data\iconcache.db.

Delete the file that you locate and open up the Task Manager again. Close any running explorer.exe files. At this point, you need to reboot your computer. As the computer reboots, it will recreate the deleted iconcache.db file and your desktop icons should appear.

Resolving Missing Icons and Taskbar: Repair Installation

If neither of these steps restored your desktop and you have the installation disk for your computer, you can use it to repair your Windows Operating System so that your missing icons and taskbar return. Simply insert the disk, turn the computer on, and follow the prompts to select the repair option.

The desktop icons have disappeared from my Compaq Presario. I don’t have a disc or restore file. Help!

So System Restore and the System File Checker utility are not options in this case. That’s okay though. We can work through this. First, let’s look at the two most common reasons for a corrupt desktop: Windows Explorer and the Icon Cache File.

Missing Desktop Icons and Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer, or explorer.exe, is the program that gives your computer its pretty interface. This program is responsible for the desktop, the desktop icons, the Start button and menu, the taskbar, and other graphical elements. Occasionally, Windows Explorer stops running and needs to be told to start back up again. When this happens, your Windows desktop stops looking as it should. The taskbar may disappear, the icons may go away, or your entire display may be blank. Other symptoms also manifest such as the taskbar may suddenly stop responding.

To work around a stalled explorer.exe program, you’ll need to relaunch it. It’s kind of tricky because due to its absence, you may not have any buttons to click! The easiest way to get explorer back in action is to use the Control + Alt + Delete key combination which will then prompt you with a menu of choices including “Launch Task Manager.” Open Task Manager and go to the File menu. Choose New Task (Run) and enter: explorer.exe in the text box. Click OK and Windows Explorer should start up and your desktop icons should magically appear.

Missing Desktop Icons and the Icon Cache File

While restarting Windows Explorer works in many cases, if the icons are missing because the icon cache file is corrupt, then you’ll need to tackle the problem from a different angle. The icon cache is usually located in:

Windows XP - C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Local Settings\Application Data\iconcache.db

Windows Vista - %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\iconcache.db

Once you find the iconcache.db file, delete it. Now, open the Task Manager and close down all instances of explorer.exe. Press Control + Alt + Delete and choose the option for rebooting your computer. When your computer reboots, it will automatically create a new icon cache file.

My computer has a blank desktop. What do I need to do for that? Right before it happened a screen said I had a Trojan. Help?

Sounds like we have two problems to tackle: a blank desktop and a Trojan. Since blank desktops make it hard to launch programs due to a lack of icons and the Start button, it’s a bit of a challenge to run your antivirus program or perform basic troubleshooting steps. Fortunately, though it’s a challenge, it’s still doable.

Missing Desktop

First, let’s get that Desktop back so that you can function. A missing Desktop is usually due to a problem with the explorer.exe program, or Windows Explorer as it is more commonly known. Windows Explorer is responsible for the graphical interface of Windows including the Start button, taskbar, and Desktop icons. Often time, it simply needs to be restarted.

The first step is to try restarting it by pressing Control + Alt + Delete at the same time and then choosing Task Manager. Now, go to File > Run (New Task) and enter: explorer.exe

Click OK and see if your Desktop loads as it should. If so, then you can move on to updating your antivirus protection and running a system scan in order to rid the system of the Trojan. If not, then you’ll need to resolve a larger problem such as a corrupt explorer.exe file. There are several steps for dealing with corrupt explorer.exe files such as using System Restore or the System File Checker. These steps are detailed in this Filetonic Corrupt Start Menu article.

Detecting and Removing the Trojan

Once you have your Desktop back, it’s time to move on to tackling that Trojan. Trojans are sneaky little devils - many actually invite more malware onto your computer system! If you already have a reputable computer security product installed on your system, then update it and run a complete system scan. By reputable, I mean a well known, highly respected program and not some freebie found on a popup advertisement. There are too many rogue antivirus and antispyware programs out there to trust randomly downloaded applications. If you don’t have a reputable product, read our antivirus product reviews and pick one that best meets your needs. Several featured are free.

My Acer Aspire One notebook goes to a blank screen at startup.

BIOS Recovery System

As awful as it sounds, this is a fairly common problem with Acer Aspire notebooks and it sounds like you have an issue with the BIOS - as long as you can see the power button and hear the fans running to indicate that it is not a power issue. Luckily, these notebooks come with a built-in BIOS recovery system that should get you up and running without damaging or losing any of your files. Know that doing this may void your warranty, so if you have a warranty, you should talk to Acer directly. Follow these steps EXACTLY, and it should work for you:

1. Format a USB memory stick to FAT. Make sure it is bootable.
2. Download the latest BIOS from the Acer website. Follow these links for BIOS for Aspire One 150 or this link for BIOS for Aspire One 110
3. Put the FLASHIT.EXE and the BIOS file in the root directory of the memory stick.
4. Rename the BIOS file: ZG5IA32.FD. It is important that you get the file name exactly right.
5. Remove the drive.
6. Turn the Acer off, but make sure you have a working battery and AC power connected.
7. Insert the USB memory stick into a USB port.
8. Press Fn+Esc and press the Power button at the same time. After a few seconds, release Fn+Esc.
9. The power button should be blinking. Press it once.
10. At this point, the BIOS will flash - don’t press anything or interrupt this process. If you’ve done it right, the power button will stop flashing and the notebook will reboot. When it is all done, everything should be set to reboot.

Because you have an Acer Aspire One and you are getting the blank boot screen, I’m betting that this will solve your problem. If you are still having problems after following these directions exactly, then let us know and we can try to troubleshoot hardware or screen issues that may be the culprit.

I can’t access any programs on my desktop. It’s booting up okay but I can’t get anything to work.

Are you able to access the programs through the Start menu? Are the icons missing, or just not responding? Are you getting an error message that states that you do not have access to that program? Depending on the answers, there are several methods to fix the issue with your desktop icons. Let’s try them one at a time.

Missing Icons

If your icons are missing altogether, try this fix. Put the cursor at any point on the desktop and right click on it. Choose the option Arrange Icons By and make sure there is a checkmark in front of Show Desktop Icons. If there is no check there, then clicking on it should solve your problem and bring all of the icons back.

Icons Not Operating

If your icons are there on the desktop but the programs won’t launch, it may be a problem with the explorer.exe program within Windows itself. Put the cursor on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and right click on it. Select Task Manager and then choose New Task. Type in explorer.exe and run it. Now try to use your icons.

Malware Issue

If these fixes don’t work for you, this could be a problem with malware. If this is a new problem, you can use a program called System Restore that will roll your computer back to a point where this wasn’t an issue. Hopefully, you can use the Start menu. If so, go to Start and then All Programs and choose Accessories. Choose System Tools and click on System Restore. You will see a welcome screen. Choose “Restore my computer to an earlier time” and click Next. You will be asked to select a restore point - choose a date that is right before your problem started. Confirm the date and click Next. The computer will shut down and restart and your System Restore should be complete.

Hopefully, one of these methods will get your desktop icons behaving again. Once you get your system up and running, you should update and run all of your antivirus and anti-malware software. If you need help choosing the right software for your needs, you can reference our Filetonic antivirus reviews.