Blank Windows Desktop

MIS Department Policy & Procedure 

Blank Windows Desktop

I think I may have found a potential reason for the blank desktops our users sometimes get at login.  (Desktop blank, no icons, taskbar or Start button-however Ctrl-Alt-Del works to bring up Task Manager.)

• For a QUICK resolution to get the user back up and running, Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up Task Manager

• File, New Task

• Type in Explorer.exe

• The desktop should load

I found a post that specifically talks about Dell computers and a problem with the onboard video and internal video cards.  Many of our Dell's have both the onboard and internal video cards and it appears the computer may be reverting to having a primary and a secondary monitor enabled and when the blank screen comes up, it is actually the second monitor being enabled - but doesn't actually exist.  I haven't had an opportunity yet to test the theory, but we shouldn't have to wait too long as it seems to come up a couple times a week.  The troubleshooting procedure I found is as follows:

• Ctrl-Alt-Del and restart the computer from the Taskbar

• At boot screen, go into the BIOS (usually F2)

• Go to the video adapter options and set it to Auto

• Save and Exit

• If you have no video, plug the monitor cord into the onboard video connection

• After booting up, login, then go into the Display settings

• On the Settings tab, if you see 2 monitors, that's where the problem is.  Windows thinks there are two monitors

• On the 2nd monitor, if the "Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor" is checked, uncheck it.

• On the 1st monitor, the "Use this device as the primary monitor" should be checked and greyed out.

• Apply the changes and shut down computer

• Change video cable over to video card and power up.

• It should be ok now.

This procedure isn't tested yet so it may vary.  But it's something to try if you encounter that problem.  I'll post this in our MIS Procedures Google Site and we can modify it as necessary if it fixes the problem.  Here's hoping.

Blank Windows Desktop