I have lost my "computer"

Hi, I am new to this forum and to computers generally so please excuse me if my question is stupid.
I was trying to delete the icons in my task bar so I downloaded a tool for doing this from this forum; or at least I thought thats what I downloaded.
The drop down menu showed icon deletion so off I went and then discovered that in the start menu the word "computer "had gone .from its place just above "control panel". I then went to the "downloads, desktop" etc page where in the left column the word "Acer" was now missing.
Clearly I have messed up but dont know how to remedy it. I have tried system restore without success.
I would really appreciate help please in "idiots" terms; as I said I am learning. Many thanks jack.:confused

 

All is not lost. Which version of Windows are you using?

 

Hi Eldon, Thanks for coming back so quickly. I am running windows 7, 64 bit, IE11. Thanks again.

 

Hi Eldon, I dont know whether it helps but the prog I downloaded was "Task bar repair tool". thanks jack

 

Right-click the Start button and click Properties. The Start Menu tab will be selected. Click Customize. Decide want you want on the Start Menu, or click Use Default Settings.

 

Hi Eldon, Thanks very much. I have done as you say but I cant find an icon resembling my "Computer" or "Acer D drive" and "C" drive. Also when I press my start icon "computer "is missing from the list. Have I done this wrong. Thanks jack

 

When you click on Customize, the first item on the list is Computer. Look at the snapshots.

Upload a snapshot of where Computer, C drive & D drive are missing.

Also, what exactly is the name of the program you used? The only one I found on MajorGeeks is Taskbar Repair Tool Plus! And it dates back to 2004. It's not for Windows 7.

 

Hi Eldon, Thanks for the photos; most helpful. I "Customised" as per your second photo and the word "computer" followed by 3 "o" is completely missing.
When I go onto "windows explorer I get "Favourite, recent places, downloads, desktop" In between "Videos" and "Homegroup" Were the words "Acer" C Drive" There is no reference to my laptop at all. Sorry to be such a pain. THanks again jack

 

It seems you have damaged Windows Explorer and the Start Menu. You'll just have to wait for simple (hopefully) instructions how to do the repairs. Have a look at my Windows Explorer.

 

Hi Eldon, Thanks for that.I appreciate all your help. thanks jack.

 

Hi plodr, thanks very much. I have done exactly as you have said. I get to the "start menu" and the first item at the top is "connect to"
control panel
default programs
devices and printers
documents
etc
etc.
"computer "should be at the top of the list but it isnt any where on that page.
Somehow I have deleted every mention of the word.
I wish I could copy my page to you but I dont have any idea how to send over the internet; sorry. I hope the above makes some sense. regards jack

 

jackteet...

Not sure exactly what's happening here, but this does sound to me like a good time for system restore if you know how to use the tool. Not sure it will correct the problem fully in this case, but I don't think it would hurt to try.

If that doesn't work there is always sfc /scannow, which restores defaults for many Windows settings. May not return your PC to factory specs, as it sounds like Acer added some software customizations to your PC.

I think there is also a decent chance you can find any software that may have been deleted or corrupted listed with the drivers on the Acer site for your particular model PC.

If all else fails, there is always the Acer forum for product specific assistance.

 

You have messed up something. The snapshot shows what items should be in 'Customize Start Menu'.

I suggest you download and run Tweaking.com - Windows Repair 2.10.4. It's free, no. 3 under Top Downloads, and the next best thing to doing a complete Windows repair using the Windows disc.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tweaking_com_windows_repair.html

 

Paste the content of the following code box into notepad, then under the File menu select Save As. Make sure to save it to somewhere convenient like your documents folder.

• File name: mycomp.reg
• Save as type: All Files (*.*)

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu\StartPanel\MyComp]
"Type"="group"
"Text"="@shell32.dll,-30480"
"Bitmap"="%SystemRoot%\\system32\\imageres.dll,109"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu\StartPanel\MyComp\Hide]
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001
"Type"="radio"
"Text"="@shell32.dll,-30492"
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced"
"ValueName"="Start_ShowMyComputer"
"CheckedValue"=dword:00000000
"DefaultValue"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu\StartPanel\MyComp\Menu]
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001
"Type"="radio"
"Text"="@shell32.dll,-30594"
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced"
"ValueName"="Start_ShowMyComputer"
"CheckedValue"=dword:00000002
"DefaultValue"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu\StartPanel\MyComp\Open]
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000001
"Type"="radio"
"Text"="@shell32.dll,-30593"
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced"
"ValueName"="Start_ShowMyComputer"
"CheckedValue"=dword:00000001
"DefaultValue"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu\StartPanel\MyComp\Policy]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu\StartPanel\MyComp\Policy\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}]
"RegKey"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Policies\\NonEnum"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"Start_ShowMyComputer"=dword:00000001

Double click on mycomp.reg and allow it to merge with the registry. If it successfully merges, reboot your PC and see if 'Computer' is displayed.

 

Hi Guys, Thank you all so much for the time and trouble you taken to help me.
I ran "sfc/scannow" and the result was that there are corrupted files that cant be repaired.
A "System restore" hasnt fixed the problem.
The repair tool got to number 10 of 43 and said it couldnt go any further with repairing my lappy.
However Acer have a "recovery" program loaded onto my lappy which gives 3 options to restore/repair; one of which is to re-install Drivers and Applications.
May I ask whether this will cover the problems I am experiencing which now includes a message "internet control panel has stopped working" This shows an Appcrash and gives "rundll32.exe. as the culprit.
I can return w7 to factory specs or return and still keep my personal info.
The details kindly supplied by nullptr needs me to undertake steps that are foreign to me; I do well to turn my lappy on most days.
May I impose upon you guys to tell me if "drivers and applications" should rectify mt problems. Thanks again jack.

 

I believe drivers and applications would include the applications installed by Acer, so maybe this is what you need to do to restore the functionality you require. If you haven't updated the drivers since acquiring the PC, it should be safe to install the original drivers.

Perhaps you might consider trying the Acer message board to see what that particular repair would entail in more detail.

Here is a link to the forum front page:

http://community.acer.com/t5/Discussion-Forums/ct-p/boards