What's wrong with a computer when the icons on the desktop just fade and don't open?
375612
Provided your start menu works, some troubleshooting is in order.  First i'd run some maintenance programs.  Virus Scan, Back up documents, Hard Disk scan, etc.  I'd try reinstalling windows on the existing install to restore missing or corrupt files.  It happens sometimes that windows gets corrupted, if you can go back to a previous install via the system restore, that's often a quick fix. Most of the times these general maintenance options work for most problems you have.  If it doesn't the only other recourse is back everything up, and do a complete reinstall.  Very laborious and if you have more on your computer than a restore disk (provided with some computer systems) can restore then you'll have to put those applications back on yourself.  Just be sure to make a good back up of any data files you couldn't bare to lose. \n\n-LOVE YOUR NIEGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
167305
i was currently experiencing the same problem and i restarted my computer and it started working again, so try rebooting:)
982235
First go to control panel > Power Options > Power Schemes > Settings for Home/Office Desk Schemes  and check whether you have activated any auto turn off for HDD or Monitior (say after 10 minutes). \n\nCheck whether you have activated any screen server which gives you a blank screen after certain amount of time.\n\nIf it is not this please make sure your data cable, mouse cable and keyboard cables are properly connected to your system. \n\nMake sure that no automatic shutdown tasks is created earlier.\n\nAlso run a virus scan so as to make sure that there is timer based viruses which activate them selves in a sp. time.
176585
do you have sp2?\n\nhttp://search.microsoft.com/results.aspx?q=icons+disappear+on+startup&mkt=en-US&FORM=SSME
952356
the same thing happened to my desktop,i think it's virus.You'll need to send it to a gud computer repairer though you'll lose some of ur installed programs cos lot of things will have to be wiped out to enable it works fine again.
201498
Here is a idea.\nHow to reappear the icons?\nStep 1-Right Click on your desktop.\nStep 2-Select "Properties"\nStep 3-Go to the "Desktop" tab.\nStep 4-Click on the "Customize Desktop..." Button.\nStep 5-You should be on the "General" Tab. Go and click the "Restore Default" button.\nStep 6-Click Ok\nHopefully that will work. :)
494405
Check all cable connections, mouse, monitor, AC power cord etc. sometimes they work loose. If everything appears OK, you may need to reload windows. Some viruses will do this by corrupting your program files. You can try a emergency disk, restart in SAFE mode, or just format the drive and reload Windows and all the drivers. I do this about every 3 months to clean out junk and corrupt files. You will find your PC runs much faster.
712229
I just had the same thing happen to me. It was a defective hard drive on my computer causing the issue.....I took it to the Geek Squad for repair....It wasn't an old computer either, 3 months old....Hope this helps!!\n\nGL;)
996303
Go to desktop, right click and then "arrange icons by.." Then make sure "show desktop items" is checked
815247
Actually I don't understand these terms. Could you please tell what is really happening in your computer? (like, a program's not opening, windows can't let you in, etc.)\n\nBut usually the source of problem in a computer is a virus. So go get a cleaner.
1043605
Check to see if a virus exists on your system.  This can be a very probable cause to this problem.  If it persists after that, contact either your computer manufacturer, or do a complete reboot (reinstall) of Windows.
198780
XP has this desktop cleanup wizard which moves unused icons on the desktop.\nCheck if that is the coz of the problem\n\nTo enable / Disable it DO the following:\nTo remove unused desktop icons\nOpen Display in Control Panel. \nOn the Desktop tab, click Customize Desktop. \nUnder Desktop cleanup, click Clean Desktop Now. \nFollow the directions in the Desktop Cleanup Wizard. \n Notes\n\nTo open Display, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display. \nThe Desktop Cleanup Wizard displays a list of the desktop icons that have not been used for 60 days or more, enabling you to remove those icons that you don't want on your desktop. You can retrieve icons you have removed by opening the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder on your desktop. \nClear the Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days check box if you don't want the wizard to run automatically every two months. \nYou can remove an individual desktop icon by right-clicking the icon and then clicking Delete. \nTo add or remove the icons for My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, or Internet Explorer, select or clear those items under Desktop icons. \n\nCheers !!!!
32373
Windows XP hides inactive icons from systray after some time. And thats what I think happening to you. If you want it remain visible always do this :\nStart > Control Panel \nDouble click on Taskbar and Start Menu icon in Control Panel\nUnder the Hide inactive icons frame, click on Customize. \nFind Volume control's entry in Current items and select Always Show as its behaviour.\n:P
618115
On the screen top right click. Click on arrange icons by, make sure the "show desk top icons " is checked.
270436
the icons on ur desktop are only shortcuts,, u can go to each one at a time and right click on the target and select send to,, then select send to desktop, if u have problems send an i/m and i will try to guide u through it
921046
restart the computer and see if you can open it. if it doesnt the only thing i can think of is uninstalling office and install it again.
859988
that happened to me too....I thought something was wrong with my computer...I guess it got fixed :)