Taskbar wont show applications

I'm running Windows XP, my OS was running fine, until one day my taskbar stopped showing all the running applications. If i have MSN Messenger open and running along with a coversation and an IE page, my task bar wont show any of those , the only way I can now flip through the different programs is throught alt+tab.

Any thoughts as to what I should do?


Thanks

 

Right click the Taskbar and click Properties. Check that Auto Hide Taskbar isn't checked.

I doubt that's your problem but we have to start somewhere. I'm thinking you need to check your drive for errors and then check for spyware and virus. Run Disk Cleanup. Then run sfc /scannow from the Run window and see if it can help you.

 

I've tried doing all of that, I ran a norton antivirus check, i downloaded the latest virus defininitions and I ran all the spyware tests, but it still gives me that problem What else should i do? does anyone know the registry path for the taskbar settings, or any other suggestions as to what i should do?

Thanks!

P.S - MY problem is listed above

 

Consider using System Restore to return to a time prior to the problem.

If no joy, boot to Safe Mode and see if the problem persists there as well.

Report what you find.

 

rohasha28

Right click the taskbar and uncheck "lock the taskbar ". Look for a vertical line on the task bar and grab it and move it over. Does that show anything?

 

Excellent idea Bill!

 

i tried the advice about the 'lock toolbar' but it didnt work...Im going to try the system restore, if it doesnt work can i still go back to my original settings? are there any risks associated with that function?

Thanks

 

i tried system restore and it doesnt work, all it tells me is that the system restore cant be done....is there a registry key i should check? how can i bring my taskbar back to normal?

Please help!

 

I'm not aware of any Registry Key that would affect that. You're dealing with a shell item. It's part of Windows explorer.exe. and will no doubt involve several dll files as well as inf files.

Do you see a grey vertical divider bar anywhere on the Taskbar? If so, can you drag it as Bmoore has indicated? If you place the cursor directly over it, you should be able to left-click/hold and drag it around. Pardon me if you have already tried that but I can't see your Desktop very well from here.

 

rohasha28

Click here and download the Taskbar repair tool.

Unzip it to your desk top or any other place that you like. Run the .exe and select what you need.

Yours should be "Minimized Programs Missing ". Click on the repair button and see what happens....

 

BILL!

Thank You So Much for the script, it worked perfectly, and now everthing is back to normal, i think we should keep this thread as a reference on the site so that other people will know the answer to their problem!


Once Again Thank You!

 

Very glad his suggestion helped you. One reason we are so insistent on having thread titles that describe the problem is so that folks who come on the forum and search for issues will find threads that contain problems and (hopefully) fixes for them.

 

Bill, that's a great find and something I'll put in the toolbox for later!

That's a very nice collection of vb script from Doug knox and Kelly Theriot. Those guys never cease to amaze me! I never hesitate to trust their stuff. Working on the shell is risky business and they make it practically a cake walk.

Newt is correct. A thread with a resource like this will be hit on several time I'm sure. The proper title will help that along.

 

Please...No applause...I have a headache.

 

Did you possibly have too much Lone Star last night.