wife clicked on java update on task bar now there are no programs on the start menu, control panel, can't right click on internet explorer icon, can't right click on destop properties, etc. found system restore but there is not history and not allowed to open settings. all programs are still on laptop. help please... FERNANDO

You should have a flying window icon on one of the lower left keys on your key board. This key functions the same as clicking the START button on the task bar that you no longer have. This will allow you to connect to System restore, Control Panel, etc... and initiate repairs. Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt 1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt. For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 315222 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/)... A description of the Safe mode boot options in Windows XP 2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials. 3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER: %systemroot%\system32\restore\... 4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state. Sorry if this entered twice new member here.

thanks babyblue. sorry for the confusion. i do have the task bar. it's the all programs that are missing from it. where you would find word, accessories and such. i have my own laptop and found system restore. i located it on hers and opened it up but there are no earlier restore dates, weird. i can't even open up the settings. all the programs are still on the laptop but there are no short cuts on the start menu. i ran hijack this but i don't know what i'm looking for. even in safe mode ther's nothing on the start menu, well, one thing, empty short cut is there? FERNANDO

FERNANDO, Try the possible solution at the link below. http://windowsxp.mvps.org/AllProgra... Tufenuf

all is listed under currect user>>>shell folders. all is listed under local machine>>>shell folders. at the top of each is (default) Reg_sz (value not set). do i need to somehow add value to the default or delete it? FERNANDO

avast found a virus, install-errorprotect-free [1] .exe. i can't delete it, move to chest, or move/remane it. i followed the address to the folder but it moved to another folder after i tried to delete it. then another one popped up next to it, ant27t.tmp. exe. somebody, please help me... FERNANDO