Start up problem

[ConKnee]

I have a Dell 8100 with Windows Me. My computer froze up so I shut it down. When I started it back up it, it looked like everything went okay but I ended up with only the screensaver. No desktop icons so I look in task manager and the only thing showing up was Nprotect (norton antivirus). I shut it down and started up several times but no go. I tired starting up in Safe mode and the only difference is task manager is then empty, no Nprotect. Does anyone no what's causing the problem?

[pariscope]

Are you still under the Dell support time period?

[bwcc]

Doubtful that its under warranty, being its an 8100.

By screensaver, Im guessing you mean background. This sounds like explorer.exe is having difficulty loading. I would check the harddrive and make sure it is sound (scandisk or hdd utility). If that does not help, then Windows will need to be repaired.

You can try editing the system.ini file and change the shell= to winfile.exe and boot up that way.

I also found this on Gateway's website - it may give you some other options to try as well.
http://support.gateway.com/s/issues/2-1330790523.shtml

And welcome to Techimo!