No Desktop on Server 2000

After removing something like Nimda, it is always advisable to rebuild your server (like it or not!). A number of system files are altered/corrupted, and there is no telling what else (Trojans, etc.) may have been left behind.

I saw a similar situation with a Win2k server a year or two ago. I believe it was ultimately fixed by applying the latest service pack to repair/overwrite the corrupted system files.

MS Article Q256194
SYMPTOMS
When you log on to Windows 2000, you may see a blank desktop or no desktop. When this occurs, you can press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to start Task Manager, but Explorer.exe is not listed in the list of running tasks or processes. Starting a new instance of Explorer.exe does not resolve the issue.
CAUSE
This issue can occur if there is an older version of the Shdocvw.dll file in the %SystemRoot% folder. Because Explorer.exe is located in the %SystemRoot% folder, the search path for any called files starts in the %SystemRoot% folder before the path is searched. The default search order always looks for a called file in the folder containing the program file before searching the path to locate the file.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue:
Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager.
On the File menu, click New Task (Run).
Type cmd.exe, and then press ENTER.
If necessary, change to the %SystemRoot% folder.
Rename the Shdocvw.dll file by typing ren shdocvw.dll shdocvw.old.
Restart the computer.