Computer Problem

[[name_withheld]]

Ok, my friend has a problem with her computer and because I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it I came here. All of the icons on her desktop just disappeared; various shortcuts, the recycle bin, everything. So, I'm here to ask a.) what would cause this and b.) how can it be fixed. Any help is appreciated.

[Bucket]

tek-tips.com

[gatewatcher]

Uh, uncheck the option for hide desktop icons.

[Bloodshedder]

This is assuming she's using Windows XP.

[gatewatcher]

Yes.

[Alboroto]

Try some Advil

[Psyonisis]

,

[[name_withheld]]

The hide icons button didn't do anything.

[Opulent]

sounds like malware to me.
most systemic windows issues nowadays are often virii, hijacks, trojans, or adware.
I'd try Hijack this, adaware, spybot search and destroy, and some virus software. (or just re-install the OS if you don't have any valuable data)
the very first thing I'd check is your startup processes and the event logs.
I know it's a cop-out to say it's malware, but that is the result of some. gl.

[Alboroto]

Opulent said:

sounds like malware to me.
most systemic windows issues nowadays are often virii, hijacks, trojans, or adware.

Porn is bad, mmkay?

[wildweasel]

If the computer is running Windows XP, it may have run its cleanup - but if there's no "unused desktop shortcuts" folder, that's not what happened, because Windows never deletes shortcuts - only moves.