Thanks for your reply Rich. I went to Dell support the first time it
happened, the day I got the computer. The tech had me do a RESTORE back to
original configuration and it worked long enough for him to hang up the
phone. When I called back, with the case number, I was told by another tech
that this was a software problem and it would cost $298 for software support.
Needless to say, this is why I am searching help online for someone who may
know how to fix this problem without it costing an arm and a leg.

"Rich Barry" wrote:

> Have you tried going to Dell Support? Since the OS was preinstalled, they
> might have some answers. You might not be the
> only one that this problem has come up.
> "CountryBoy" <CountryBoy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:ADA6AD53-F6E3-4E5D-A91B-B08653DC441C@microsoft.com...
> >I just received my new Dell computer on 12/19/2005. Windows XP Media
> >Center
> > Edition was pre-installed. I have two users setup, myself and my wife.
> > My problem is: No matter which user logs on first, the icons and taskbar
> > appear for a few seconds and then disappears. I can switch users and the
> > other user has everything on the desktop.
> > I have gone to Task Manager, for the user without icons, and tried to run
> > Windows explorer from the new task option. Still no icons or task bar.
> > Looking in the task manager "resources", it does not show explorer.exe. I
> > have done a Restore two times and continue to have this same problem.
> > Someone PLEASE help !!! This is really frustrating to have a new computer
> > that doesn't work properly.
>
>
>