Lost all icons and tool bars just left with wallpaper

[computernovice]

Our Mac has suddenly lost all icons and tool bars and we are just left with a background screen and a moving mouse arrow. Cannot right click on mouse. We can login in safe mode but can't back up or use the internet in this mode. No idea what to try to do to get everything back. Hoping some body will have some suggestions.

 

[oldscribe]

Hi and welcome,

If your running Mavericks you have the option to repair your installation disk and restore corrupt or missing system files without losing any of your applications, data or files. Press "Command-R" while starting your computer and release the keys when the OS X Recovery console displays. Select the option to "Reinstall OS X" and follow the prompts to reinstall the files on your system

 

[computernovice]

Thank you for your help. Unfortunately old machine not running Mavericks. Have managed to back up to disc and reinstall entire system from original installation disk. Not ideal but at least have lost all children's gaming downloads and machine is much faster.

 

[Spawn_Dooley]

Glad it's sorted, sounds like your own personal computer/tablet would be good

 

[oldscribe]

Hi,

I second SD well done should have asked which OS X you were running and not assumed.