Windows 8 all tiles, apps and programs have disappeared.

SelTheDon

New Member
Messages
10
Hello all, I'm a new member from the UK but currently living out in Turkey for work and have a huge problem that I cannot fathom.

Yesterday I was watching a video on YouTube no problems when all of a sudden it shut down and didn't want to load back up, after clicking the shortcut on the desktop a dialogue window popped up saying that 'this program isn't in this location' (or something similar) and if I wanted to delete the shortcut. Thinking nothing much of it I rebooted my machine.

After rebooting, some of my tiles were missing and the rest of the tiles had a small black 'X' on the corner, I couldn't open any of my apps and searching for them resulted in the icon popping up in the charms bar but was unable to open them. Literally 20 seconds later all of the tiles disappeared, the charms bar stopped working and the whole screen looked completely blank.

One more reboot later and I have no tiles on the main start screen, no tiles when I swipe down to all apps, no search results for control panel or task manager, the charms bar works but all I can do is access my WiFi network, volume and screen or search.

Please help, this is really doing my head in.

The tablet is a Dell Latitude 10 ST2.

Thanks guys.

Here's a few photos
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DSC_0285_zpsu7it6ba9.jpg
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DSC_0281_zpsqxkagc73.jpg
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Thanks for the reply but unfortunately I cannot access anything as per my post. Typing CMD in the search yields only 'No results found for your search'.

Also I cannot access the desktop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
Thanks for the reply but unfortunately I cannot access anything as per my post. Typing CMD in the search yields only 'No results found for your search'.

Also I cannot access the desktop.
Have you tried to enter desktop by pressing the WIN key, then with WIN+R open the Run dialog and type cmd.com followed by Enter to start Command Prompt?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
Hello mate, pressing the windows key just gives me a black screen, pressing it again sends me back to the start screen. Windows key + R does nothing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
Seems to me like you (a. picked up a virus or (b. Something is wrong with graphics or the driver.

Did and can you run a AV scan? Can you get to Device Manager to see how things are there?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Can you open Task Manager ?

File/New task

Screenshot_164.png

Screenshot_165.png

Screenshot_166.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Right, ok. I went to see if I can log in and try your suggestions but I'm now getting a different error when trying to log in, it's saying 'The User Profile Service service failed the sign in. User profile cannot be loaded'.

After roughly 30 seconds it throws me back out onto the swipe up to log in screen, trying to log back in gives me the same error. Great.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I don't think I have. I was going to ask what made you think it was a graphical issue as I was getting 'Windows has recovered from a graphical fault and has fixed the problem' everytime I came out of sleep mode.

I've forced the tablet into the recovery mode and in the menus all I can do is 'Reset' my tab, should I just bite the bullet and do it? Will I come into this problem again?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
UPDATE: I found command prompt within the recovery menus and did the sfc/scannow prompt, it's replied with 'there is a system repair pending which requires a reboot to complete. Restart windows and run SFC again'. Shall I do it?

UPDATE 2: Restarting did nothing, back to the Windows screen and my previous error.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
This is a hybrid tablet form much like the Surface Pro, correct? I'm wondering if the graphics card overheated or something wrong with the driver. Can you get into Device Manager to see about the driver? Your Modern/Metro side is basically out, correct?

Try DISM.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Yes mate, it is very much like the surface pro just made by Dell. I did check for the latest graphics driver and it had already been installed. I've gone and reset the tablet so I'll install the drivers and see how it goes but it isn't filling me with much confidence!

What's DISM?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Haha yeah only about 3000 miles away!

It wasn't just my Metro apps that were missing, my programs had disappeared from the desktop too. All that was left was recycle bin.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
Upon second thought I'll bet you picked up a virus. What else could do so much damage?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Hello again all, sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead but I thought it needed an update.

After installing Windows 8 again onto my tablet all was well for 3 days until it did the exact same thing (black screen, tiles missing, cannot log in) so after leaving it for a while because it was doing my head in I decided to have another crack at it.

After installing Windows back in I decided to have a browse around the processes I noticed that there was a program running called RPCNETP.EXE, a little bit of digging later I found out that it's a Computrace module designed to stop people from stealing laptops etc. Computrace after a few days would initiate autochk.exe and that's when all Hell would break loose and mess my tablet up.

So the only conclusion I have is that the tablet I bought is stolen. problem being is I bought it from a car boot sale so I have no way of tracing the bloke I bought it from and getting my money back. I only paid a £100 for it but now I am stuck with a tablet that keeps on wiping itself of data.

Pretty pissed off about it as it looks like I can't get rid of Computrace as it's embedded in the BIOS, can't run the tablet legitimately as it keeps in wiping data and even worse is that I spent a good 15 minutes making sure the damn thing was working properly (connecting to the internet, sound, cameras, mic, etc). All that time the man selling it knew the thing was iffy.

I'm living out in Turkey too so I have a nice expensive coaster for my tea, or maybe even a boomerang that doesn't come back.

Buyer beware! If you're buying a second hand machine make sure there's no RPCNETP.EXE service running in Task Manager>Processes. If there is, question it and walk away.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
Ugh, bad luck. I am wandering if there was a way to change BIOS, download original BIOS file and redo it same way it's done with desktops and normal laptops. That should start you with a clean slate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Thanks for posting. Interesting problem and diagnosis. I heard of LoJack for pcs, but didn't know how it worked exactly.

Hope you find your solution.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    s: XP, Win7, Win8, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Laptop - recommended brand.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 currently- laptop monitor
    Other Info
    Have XP Virt. Mach. on Win7.
    // 2-7-2015 - Purchased cheap Win 8.1 tablet. So far, it's amazing. Update: 5-24 - Switched to MS Surface 3. it's just a better way to go.
CountMike, that involves messing with it and to be honest I'd probably knacker something. Unless you're capable of doing it (hint hint).

dperecky, no worries, I hope it comes of use to people out there who are looking at buying from the second-hand market. Fingers crossed I can find a solution too as when the tablet works it's brilliant.

If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to let me know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
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