Knowledge Base

Err Msg: Critical Information About the Desktop Could Not Be...

Article ID: 176357

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 128-Bit Edition
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5

This article was previously published under Q176357

SYMPTOMS

After you use the Emergency Repair process to repair or verify your Windows NT system files, you may receive the following error message when you log in to Windows NT:

Critical information about the desktop could not be retrieved from the registry. Your registry may be corrupted.

When you click OK, a blank desktop with only your background wallpaper appears. The Start button, taskbar, and desktop icons are not displayed.

CAUSE

Some of the updated Windows NT 4.0 system files required by Internet Explorer 4.0 have been replaced by the original Windows NT 4.0 files.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

Remove Internet Explorer 4.0 using the Ieremove.exe tool.
Reinstall the latest Windows NT Service Pack.

NOTE: When you install a Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack, it is important to create an Uninstall folder only during the first installation of the Service Pack. Uninstall folders created during subsequent installations of the Service Pack do not properly uninstall the Service Pack.
Reinstall Internet Explorer 4.0.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

To repair or verify the Windows NT system files on a computer that has Internet Explorer 4.0 installed, first uninstall Internet Explorer and the Windows NT Service Pack. To do so, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon, click Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, click Add/Remove, click "Uninstall Internet Explorer 4.0 and all its components," and then click OK.

When you are finished uninstalling Internet Explorer, uninstall the Windows NT Service Pack. To do so, start the Service Pack installation program and choose the Uninstall The Service Pack option when you are prompted.

Repair or verify the Windows NT 4.0 system files using the Emergency Repair process. For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
103280 Using an Emergency Repair Disk Created by Windows NT
When the Emergency Repair process is complete, reinstall the latest Windows NT Service Pack, and then reinstall Internet Explorer 4.0.

For more information about the Emergency Repair process and Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

146887 Repairing Windows NT After the Application of Service Pack 3

Additional query words: ERD SP3 msient

Keywords: kbenv kberrmsg kbui KB176357