Recycle bin is gone

I have an ailing Dell 8300 with XP Pro, and I'm trying to uninstall programs & files. My newest problem is a missing or corrupted Recycle bin. There is a an icon on my desktop but it isn't openable or explorable. I cannot find a file anywhere named "recycled" or anything like that, and searches come up empty. I have tried to unhide the recycled file using the Safe Mode command prompt, (an attrib command that didn't work). Couldn't see the file in there either.
A little background that may matter here - the trouble started with a disk full message. Early attempts to uninstall or delete files were met with a message that there wasn't enough memory to perform the task. I gave up for a few months, came back to it yesterday, seemed to be able to uninstall some programs except that there's no recycle bin for them to go to.
Sorry if this is too much info but my brain's kind of tied in knots. Thanks for any ideas you can offer.

 

Here see if this will work---->http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810869

 

Fix it isn't an option because I can't connect to the internet. I followed the instructions for the regedit routine (method 2)but could not find "desktop". Below "explorer" is only one folder and it's called "browser helper objects".
Methods 1 & 3 do not apply.
The workaround created a new shortcut, but it won't accept files and the original recycle bin (still there) is still dead. If I right-click for properties I get the error message "The properties for this item are not available".

 

Thank you both for your suggestions. My Dell would not accept the restore recycle bin program from the memory stick I'd saved it to because I have insufficient memory for that task.
Thanks for trying. It may be curtains for this old Dell. At least that's what is seems to be trying to tell me. "nope can't do that", "can't do that either", "away with you woman!"

 

Primroselite...

I had a similar problem on an old HP Pentium III with Windows 98 SE on it. That problem was associated with a virus. The virus filled the recycle bin, using all the HD space, until I wasn't able to add any files at all. Then it began to cripple the weakened machine obliterating program files (IE first, then system functions and features like desktop, start menu, etc.). Icons started disappearing...I couldn't find things, etc.

The Pentium III barely survived that one, but I needed the help of a Virus/Malware Removal expert. On that one I never had any indication that there was a virus until I went to find help. The main reason that machine barely survived the problem was that I did not have a Windows 98 installation disk.

So...at this point with your old machine, I think you are looking at the option of running a Repair Installation (which will probably work) if you have a (I assume) Microsoft installation disk for your OS. Whether the virus, if there is one, is active or not, a repair installation would restore functionality to your PC for awhile at least. Then you could get some help to see if you can hunt down any malware that may be there. If you don't have an installation disk, the question becomes, do you want to spend for an installation disk or save the money toward another PC? It's cool to have an installation disk of any of the MS OSes (XP, Vista, 7), so that's not a bad option. You could also still save by buying a PC with no OS next time if/when it comes to that later and get your money back that way.

The other thing here is it could be a failing HD or RAM, etc. Since you can't test the hardware with downloaded software, you have to decide. You can get your money back on an installation copy of an OS, so it might make sense to buy one and try it on your current PC. Then again, do you REALLY want to try to save this machine. It's a tough call for me when it happens and I guess for everyone. If you do buy a copy of the OS and try the Repair, you'll get your money back whenever you buy a new system as long as you stick with the same OS. Again all of them are cool and I believe will last. Just have to add freeware to XP and Vista and maybe a paygram or two.

If you have an installation disk already, no reason not to run a Windows repair and give it a try...

If you go ahead with a Repair attempt and need some assistance. Just post back here. There's plenty of help here for that process...

 

This wont likely help your problem now but if you hold down the SHIFT key while deleting a file it will bypass the RECYCLE bin and permanently delete the file. As you may have found out with a machine that is critically low on space deleting files in the normal way does nothing to reduce space. You need to empty the recycle bin.

 

Thanks for your suggestions. Shift/delete is one of those things I should have known about years ago :-o - I'll try it.
Virus - could be. This computer's hard drive stayed less than half full for years, then rather suddenly after some heavy use scanning photos it went full even after photos were moved to another device. Fishy.
I do have the disc. I tried using "repair". I got the Windows Recovery Console screen. It asked what installation I want to repair. I enter 1 + enter. Then I get C:\Windows>
What do I do now? I've already run chkdsk and it didn't find anything as I recall, and I don't see any commands that seem to apply.
Thanks.

 

Does sound like a Virus or malware now so i would recommend either going to the malware forums or most likely a complety reformat of the drive.Just save what you can to a Flash drive.

 

Primroselite...XP Repair is a little tricky. You don't select the initial repair option that mentions the Recovery Console. See this...it will surprise you I think:

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

You choose to set up Windows and then you select the repair option a little later (be careful not to perform a regular install O/C)...

 

If nothing else compressing a few files to get a little free space.
Make a note of how much free space you gain, let the PC run awhile if its a virus free space should disappear fairly quickly.
If not down load "File Shredded" (4kb on hard-drive) and clean out enough junk to make repairs.

 

I ran the XP repair. When I came back to it a while later it said, "STOP buncha 0's and stuff Fatal Error
The windows logon process system process terminate unexpectedly...buncha 0's and stuff...The system has been shut down.
I take this to mean that XP did its thing but when it went to restart things went wrong. I cut the power, restarted without the disc, and right where it looks like the blue welcome screen it said something like resuming startup. a few seconds later the fatal error blue screen came back with the same wording as before.
Is it recovery console time? Or is it the end?

 

Dont recover the Hdd like i said be for i would do a full reformat of the hdd to get rid of any virus or malware hiding this would be the best idea for you.And reinstall windows xp Fresh.

Doing the recovery system is only a temp thing the virus or malware would most likely stay on the HD and you probably have the same issue all over again.

Just go ahead and do a Full formatt do not do the Quick if you do a quick one then the virus or malware could still be attached to some of the files left be hind.Fresh install would be the best option.

I do these regularly about every 6 months or so but you dont have to do it that often.

When you do a fresh install of xp with all of the updates and drivers make sure you Put a backup copy on a CD or flash drive.

Full format will all so recover any space on the Hd that was lost over the years.

And a question that i have for you----> how big is your Hard Drive just curious

 

This does appear to be virus/malware. Shame ..

If you can run a back up, you could back up your start menu, desktop, and favorites for each user. That way you can restore the configuration you had before the problem with all the icons. If you have alot of programs, I guess it helps to not have to put them back where you want them. Themes are good to have backed up, too, if you have any custom ones (C:\Windows\Resources\Themes)

I was hoping the repair would work...oh well

 

"And a question that i have for you----> how big is your Hard Drive just curious"
It's 2.8G.
I reformatted and reinstalled XP. It's a well computer now. Thanks for the help!