Installed Update, Taskbar Gone

I downloaded and installed an update for my computer today and after the annoying thing kept popping up to remind me to restart, I did. When it came back up, I was without a desktop--no icons or taskbar. I restarted countless times (most of the time, I just had to turn the laptop off--no Task Manager would appear) and finally, icons showed up. Still, there was no taskbar. It's not hidden off the screen or anything, it's just gone.

I don't want to format and reinstall because everything works except the taskbar. Any idea on how to fix it?

 

Welcome to the forum and if the 'dukedevils' handle means you are a Duke fan, double welcome.

It might help to know which flavor of XP (including SP level) and what update did the deed. Maybe not but some have known issues and known fixes.

Meanwhile, if you tap the windows flag key, does your Windows start menu pop up?

 

Indeed I am a Duke fan.

Computer specs: XP Home, 1.6 GHZ Centrino, 512 MB of RAM, 60 GB HD--dunno if you need any or all of that, but that's just in case.

Not sure what update was installed...how can I find that out? ( "beginner" doesn't even begin to describe my ignorance--I used to know stuff, honest, but now, I've regressed).

Okay, so here's an update, just a few hours after the original post:

I got the taskbar back up, but each time I reboot, I have to manually bring it back up again. The Windows key doesn't work, but if I go into Control Panel and the Taskbar option and lock the toolbar, it pops back up. So, even though it works, it's incredibly frustrating and time-consuming.

So, I've got bigger problems now, it seems.

When I turn on the computer, it loads fine and then it gets to my login screen. I click my name and it sits there for about two minutes. The arrow turns to an arrow and hour glass, then back to an arrow. Then, the desktop starts to load, but it hangs up at the wallpaper for about two minutes. Finally, the icons appear, but then, no taskbar.

I ran Spybot and Adaware, but Norton won't scan (I ran it earlier this afternoon and got some infections cleaned up) and then, I decided maybe I'd try to defrag, but again, nothing.

I just shut down shop for the night because I'm frustrated as can be. I'm starting to think formatting might be my only option and I hate, hate, hate the thought of that because I just spent a week transferring files.

(Edit: Could a HiJack log possibly give any insight?)

 

We are no where near a reformat yet.

First thing to try is to put your XP CD in the drive then click on start, click on run, put

Code:

sfc /scannow

into the line and click OK. It runs quickly and usually very silently when scanning and repairing/replacing damaged system files.

Post back with the results and if needed, we'll move on to a few other things.

 

Okay, the problems got out of control today. Nothing would load. I couldn't back any files up to CD because the CD-R wouldn't work. Internet connection went out. So, I formatted. I've got a feeling I'm going to really regret it (I spent forever looking for some programs I needed and it took me forever to get them--now, they're gone). Oh well, instead of offering computer advice, just say a little prayer for me. Pray that I don't lose my head doing all this.