When I boot up and get into windows the background shows up and I have no desktop, no start menu, no icons...

I can still run programs through opening the task manager and well.. they seem to work fine.

I have tried starting the computer up in Safe mode with it's various options and still, the same result.

The Computer would properly start and log into windows uneventfully, up until I finished installing World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade.

I can't even run from a previous restore point... and I am trying to avoid reformatting/re-installing windows because the version I have was given to me by a guy with a small self owned store, and was MASSIVELY pirated..

So short of buying a new version or finding an authenticating pirate, I would like to find a solution that would continue business as normal without all that fuss.

Any ideas? Don't be shy about asking for any info that may help, I am more than willing to oblige.

My PC:

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ @ 2.0
512 MB ram
128MB GeForce Video (8x AGP)
Windows XP



Thanks in advance!

Hello and welcome to PC Help Forum.

We do not deal with pirated software and there for if you are stating you have pirated software installed then I am afraid we cannot help you unless you install genuine software.
Please read the forum rules:

No promotion of offensive sites, warez, cracks, keygens, porn or other illegal material
No discussion about illegal pirated or stolen software/movies/games/music
No support for software created to download any of the above

Other than that restart pc enter BIOS set first boot to CD rom put in xp disk save and exit F10.

Do not press R at first prompt as this is recovery console just agree to license F8 and press R when prompted after this.This is repair.

If that dont work try recovery press R at first prompt.

Ok, sorry about that, I want trying to promote pirating software, I was just explaining my cruddy situation a little in depth.

I'll try that and see if it works, thanks.

I will keep you posted.

Glad you are not promoting pirated software.

I would not install pirated software it can cause problems on your machine.


Try what I posted and see how it goes.

Your welcome.