Disappearing Act

[citizen001]

How come my taskbar keeps disappearing? Sometimes when i boot up, my taskbar on Windows Xp is gone and i can't even drag it up from the bottom. Now whenever i open a program it doesn't show on the taskbar and i need to use ALT + Tab to get around. Anyone got any solutions? Thanks.

 

[kcwong]

Don't have idea why. But try these... might gather enough information as to why your taskbar disappears.

1. Does the start menu and taskbar appear if you press Ctrl-Esc or your Windows key?

2. Press Alt-Ctrl-Del. Press "Task Manager". Select the "Processes" tab... see if the task "explorer.exe" is running or not. If not, it's likely that it crashed. From control panel, select "Administrative Tools" | "Event Viewer". Right-click on System and select Save Log File as. Do the same for Application and post the files.

3. Visit Microsoft's XP Power toys site. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
They are extra programs that tweak windows registry for extra settings/effects otherwise not available to the average users.
One of them is called "TweakUI". Download and install it... it has options for taskbar. Change something and save... it *might* fix any corrupted registry settings on its way.

 

[Dell19]

It might be that the taskbar has been set to automatically hide itself when its not in use. If you right click and go to properties on the taskbar before it disappears and uncheck the automatically hide option, then that should solve it.

 

[citizen001]

Sorry it's neither of these. It's like the whole bar disappears when no toolbars are active (quick launch, language bar). The only thing i can do now is keep the quick launch bar open so i can see the start button, otherwise i can't see what progs i have open. I might try system restore.

 

[Padma]

That's Windows for you. Doesn't play well even with itself....

 

[Chieftess]

Hit CTRL-ESC to see if the taskbar comes up. It could be that it's on auto-minimize and locked.

 

[citizen001]

Too late, system restore fixed it. thank bill gates he put system restore into windows, otherwise i'd probably have to reformat to get out of it. Thanks anyways.

 

[citizen001]

This problem is back again but this time the whole taskbar is gone! there's not even a thin line at the bottom of the screen to right click! what's even worse is that i don't have a system restore point left! can somebody please help me?

 

[citizen001]

take a look at the screenshot below: a window is open but it doesn't display it at the bottom of the screen?!?!? weird huh?

 

[citizen001]

anyone?????

 

[Chieftess]

It happens sometimes. If you close the window, you'll see a minimized box above the taskbar. (probably one of the left over things from Win 3.1. ). Try a reinstall.

 

[citizen001]

I guess that's my only option with the lack of responses.