Hidden task bar not working

I installed XP Pro on an old Pentium IV system. I did a clean (new) installation. Everything worked as advertised. However, the system crashed and locked up when I was installing Norton's Internet Security 2004. I followed Norton's instructions on cleaning up the partial installation, which included editing the registry. On the next try, NIS installed properly. Now the hidden task bar does not appear. Those icons which were hidden before the NIS installation are now missing from the task bar, but show up as hidden on the customize screen when right clicking and chosing properties, customize. I suspect a corrupt registry entry is the problem. I am looking for an easy fix other than reinstalling XP. Anyone???

Cliff

 

Hey Cliff, Welcome to the BBS

Could you clarify?

When you move the mouse curs down, does the taskbar appear? How about using the winkey?

BTW, I wonder if we are talking about the same thing. I call the entire popup bar including the Quick Launch area on the left all the way to the Notification (with clock) on the right the taskbar. I have a notion you are talking about the Quick Launch area or maybe not.

 

Hi, Bill. Thanks for responding. Yes, the taskbar appears. The feature "hide inactive icons" does not work, whether selected or not. As I stated, this feature did work before the crash. The inactive icons which were hidden are now gone from the task bar. With "hide inactive icons" selected, there is a < on the task bar next to the clock. When you click on it, all the icons in that area of the task bar are then exposed. Kind of a fun feature, not really necessary unless you need a lot of task bar space. I would like to get back the icons which are gone. I have tried reinstalling the programs which put icons on the task bar next to the clock. The icon shows up until I reboot, then it's gone (hidden, as it were.) The winkey would be nice, but as I said, this in an old computer and it has no winkey.

Cliff

 

This site has a fixit program for the taskbar. Maybe download it and see if it will fix your prob?

There are some other discussions on the board that your can find with a search for "Quick Launch ".

Let us know one way or the other?

 

Bill,

OK! Now the hidden icon portion of the task bar works as advertised. I used one of the tools on the site you suggested. Then I removed the programs from STARTUP which put icons on the task bar, rebooted, then put the programs back in STARTUP, rebooted again, and everything is working.

Thank you for the help.

Cliff