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Help - Vanishing Toolbar - how to revive?

U

User66

Flightless Bird
Have been using XP Pro op system on a desktop for several years and updating as usual, but recently
having this unusual problem of loosing the screen 'Toolbar', which of course have the 'Start' button
and all other screen icons. As I loose the Toolbar, I can still use the mouse and 'refresh' the
screen, but the Toolbar does not reappear anymore. Any idea what causes this and how to fix it?
Usually this happens only when the PC is left 'on' for some time without touching the mouse. To
re-boot the PC, I have to turn off the power switch. 'Control-Alt-Delete' or the Task Manager does
not work anymore. Appreciate any suggestions.
 
S

Shenan Stanley

Flightless Bird
User66 wrote:
> Have been using XP Pro op system on a desktop for several years and
> updating as usual, but recently having this unusual problem of
> loosing the screen 'Toolbar', which of course have the 'Start'
> button and all other screen icons. As I loose the Toolbar, I can
> still use the mouse and 'refresh' the screen, but the Toolbar does
> not reappear anymore. Any idea what causes this and how to fix it?
> Usually this happens only when the PC is left 'on' for some time
> without touching the mouse. To re-boot the PC, I have to turn off
> the power switch. 'Control-Alt-Delete' or the Task Manager does
> not work anymore. Appreciate any suggestions.


"Taskbar"

Is it auto-hiding?
What happens when you lose the taskbar and then press the "Windows" key on
your keyboard? Anything?

What is your AntiVirus solution?
Using the built-in Windows XP Firewall (I hope)?
What AntiMalware software have you scanned with?

I would also like to suggest you update your Motherboard Chipset and Video
Device drivers from the corresponding manufacturers - whomever those might
be.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 
U

User66

Flightless Bird
"Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23xNguLgoKHA.5776@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> User66 wrote:
>> Have been using XP Pro op system on a desktop for several years and
>> updating as usual, but recently having this unusual problem of
>> loosing the screen 'Toolbar', which of course have the 'Start'
>> button and all other screen icons. As I loose the Toolbar, I can
>> still use the mouse and 'refresh' the screen, but the Toolbar does
>> not reappear anymore. Any idea what causes this and how to fix it?
>> Usually this happens only when the PC is left 'on' for some time
>> without touching the mouse. To re-boot the PC, I have to turn off
>> the power switch. 'Control-Alt-Delete' or the Task Manager does
>> not work anymore. Appreciate any suggestions.

>
> "Taskbar"
>
> Is it auto-hiding?


No, Taskbar is not set auto-hiding.

> What happens when you lose the taskbar and then press the "Windows" key on your keyboard?
> Anything?


Pressing the "Windows" key does not bring the Taskbar back.

> What is your AntiVirus solution?


Have been using the AVG 9 version, and it seems to behave OK.
(Was an avid user of Norton until 2002 but finally changed to AVG).

> Using the built-in Windows XP Firewall (I hope)?


Using 'Zone Alarm' two-way firewall, and made sure to disable the built-in
one-way Firewall. Should I change to built-in one-way Windows Firewall?

> What AntiMalware software have you scanned with?


Lavasoft 'Ad-Aware' & 'Microsoft Security Essentials'.

> I would also like to suggest you update your Motherboard Chipset and Video Device drivers from the
> corresponding manufacturers - whomever those might be.


I have one of the older MSI 845 Ultra-ARU Motherboard, which works OK
with an Intel P4 2.8 MHz processor (for an old PC), and an older ATI video card.
Just updated the video drivers...no change.

Seems like only option left over is to update the Motherboard Chipset.
Hope I can find it. I need to check MSI web page.

> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>


Appreciate your help.
 
B

Bob CP

Flightless Bird
User66 wrote:
> "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:%23xNguLgoKHA.5776@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> User66 wrote:
>>> Have been using XP Pro op system on a desktop for several years and
>>> updating as usual, but recently having this unusual problem of
>>> loosing the screen 'Toolbar', which of course have the 'Start'
>>> button and all other screen icons. As I loose the Toolbar, I can
>>> still use the mouse and 'refresh' the screen, but the Toolbar does
>>> not reappear anymore. Any idea what causes this and how to fix it?
>>> Usually this happens only when the PC is left 'on' for some time
>>> without touching the mouse. To re-boot the PC, I have to turn off
>>> the power switch. 'Control-Alt-Delete' or the Task Manager does
>>> not work anymore. Appreciate any suggestions.

>> "Taskbar"
>>
>> Is it auto-hiding?

>
> No, Taskbar is not set auto-hiding.
>
>> What happens when you lose the taskbar and then press the "Windows" key on your keyboard?
>> Anything?

>
> Pressing the "Windows" key does not bring the Taskbar back


.....
>>

>
> Appreciate your help.
>

When you press the Window key, do you get the pop-up? Is it complete?

I'm just trying to determine whether your screen size is extending
outside the monitor boarder...
 
J

Jeffrey W. Bowen

Flightless Bird
Hello User66,

Have you tried holding down Ctrl and pressing the Esc button? If not then
see if that will help you get to your taskbar. If so then one of the
suggestions below may help you restore your taskbar.

Are you the only user on your computer? If not, do any other users on your
computer have access through your account (does everyone know each others'
passwords, or do you share with another person in the family)?

If you have multiple accounts on your computer, have the owner of one of
them log in and see if they have the same problem.

You said you lost the desktop icons as well. 1) Right click on the desktop
and go to 'Arrange Icons and look down the list of options and see if there
is a check next to 'Show Desktop Icons'. If not then click on that. Your
Icons should return. 2) If that worked, move your cursor slowly down to the
bottom of your screen until you get close to the edge and see if your cursor
turns into a double arrow with one pointing up and the other pointing below
the screen edge out of sight. If this happens, hold down the left mouse
button and drag up to see if your taskbar comes back.

If that solved your problem, someone may have been playing a joke on you by
hiding your icons and minimizing your taskbar so you can't find it.
Then, hold down the Windows key (between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the lower
left of your keyboard. The 'run' window should pop up. If so, type explorer
in the window and click 'ok'. Hopefully this should bring back your icons
and taskbar.

Have you moved your cursor to each of the four sides of your computer screen
to see if someone might have moved it?

Restart into safemode and see if the task bar is visible there. If so,
restart into normal mode and see if your taskbar returns.

I hope something here helps. If not post back. I will keep searching for
other possible solutions. I am sure there is someone here who can zone in on
the best solution for you.

Good luck.

--
Peace,

Jeffrey W. Bowen
Remove NO SPAM entries from email address to send personal email.

Please post replies of successes or failures so we all can benefit from each
others' experiences.


"User66" <user66@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eoMHbDgoKHA.5696@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Have been using XP Pro op system on a desktop for several years and
> updating as usual, but recently having this unusual problem of loosing the
> screen 'Toolbar', which of course have the 'Start' button and all other
> screen icons. As I loose the Toolbar, I can still use the mouse and
> 'refresh' the screen, but the Toolbar does not reappear anymore. Any idea
> what causes this and how to fix it? Usually this happens only when the PC
> is left 'on' for some time without touching the mouse. To re-boot the PC,
> I have to turn off the power switch. 'Control-Alt-Delete' or the Task
> Manager does not work anymore. Appreciate any suggestions.
>
>
>
 
J

Jeffrey W. Bowen

Flightless Bird
Hello again,

Here are a couple of links that may be of some help:

Detailed guide for troubleshooting taskbar missing problem -
http://www.petermartinconsult.supanet.com/computer/windows/taskbar.htm#kbase

Microsoft Knowledgebase article - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318027

Again, I hope this helps. Good Luck

--
Peace,

Jeffrey W. Bowen
Remove NO SPAM entries from email address to send personal email.

Please post replies of successes or failures so we all can benefit from each
others' experiences.


"Jeffrey W. Bowen" <NOmcquireSPAM@NOcomcastSPAM.net> wrote in message
news:%23BGviHioKHA.3948@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hello User66,
>
> Have you tried holding down Ctrl and pressing the Esc button? If not then
> see if that will help you get to your taskbar. If so then one of the
> suggestions below may help you restore your taskbar.
>
> Are you the only user on your computer? If not, do any other users on your
> computer have access through your account (does everyone know each others'
> passwords, or do you share with another person in the family)?
>
> If you have multiple accounts on your computer, have the owner of one of
> them log in and see if they have the same problem.
>
> You said you lost the desktop icons as well. 1) Right click on the
> desktop and go to 'Arrange Icons and look down the list of options and see
> if there is a check next to 'Show Desktop Icons'. If not then click on
> that. Your Icons should return. 2) If that worked, move your cursor slowly
> down to the bottom of your screen until you get close to the edge and see
> if your cursor turns into a double arrow with one pointing up and the
> other pointing below the screen edge out of sight. If this happens, hold
> down the left mouse button and drag up to see if your taskbar comes back.
>
> If that solved your problem, someone may have been playing a joke on you
> by hiding your icons and minimizing your taskbar so you can't find it.
> Then, hold down the Windows key (between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the
> lower left of your keyboard. The 'run' window should pop up. If so, type
> explorer in the window and click 'ok'. Hopefully this should bring back
> your icons and taskbar.
>
> Have you moved your cursor to each of the four sides of your computer
> screen to see if someone might have moved it?
>
> Restart into safemode and see if the task bar is visible there. If so,
> restart into normal mode and see if your taskbar returns.
>
> I hope something here helps. If not post back. I will keep searching for
> other possible solutions. I am sure there is someone here who can zone in
> on the best solution for you.
>
> Good luck.
>
> --
> Peace,
>
> Jeffrey W. Bowen
> Remove NO SPAM entries from email address to send personal email.
>
> Please post replies of successes or failures so we all can benefit from
> each others' experiences.
>
>
> "User66" <user66@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:eoMHbDgoKHA.5696@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Have been using XP Pro op system on a desktop for several years and
>> updating as usual, but recently having this unusual problem of loosing
>> the screen 'Toolbar', which of course have the 'Start' button and all
>> other screen icons. As I loose the Toolbar, I can still use the mouse
>> and 'refresh' the screen, but the Toolbar does not reappear anymore. Any
>> idea what causes this and how to fix it? Usually this happens only when
>> the PC is left 'on' for some time without touching the mouse. To re-boot
>> the PC, I have to turn off the power switch. 'Control-Alt-Delete' or the
>> Task Manager does not work anymore. Appreciate any suggestions.
>>
>>
>>

>
>
 
U

User66

Flightless Bird
"Bob CP" <ctcboater@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:hk2kv9$6rq$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> User66 wrote:
>> "Shenan Stanley" <newshelper@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23xNguLgoKHA.5776@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> User66 wrote:
>>>> Have been using XP Pro op system on a desktop for several years and
>>>> updating as usual, but recently having this unusual problem of
>>>> loosing the screen 'Toolbar', which of course have the 'Start'
>>>> button and all other screen icons. As I loose the Toolbar, I can
>>>> still use the mouse and 'refresh' the screen, but the Toolbar does
>>>> not reappear anymore. Any idea what causes this and how to fix it?
>>>> Usually this happens only when the PC is left 'on' for some time
>>>> without touching the mouse. To re-boot the PC, I have to turn off
>>>> the power switch. 'Control-Alt-Delete' or the Task Manager does
>>>> not work anymore. Appreciate any suggestions.
>>> "Taskbar"
>>>
>>> Is it auto-hiding?

>>
>> No, Taskbar is not set auto-hiding.
>>
>>> What happens when you lose the taskbar and then press the "Windows" key on your keyboard?
>>> Anything?

>>
>> Pressing the "Windows" key does not bring the Taskbar back
>>
>> Appreciate your help.

> When you press the Window key, do you get the pop-up? Is it complete?


No, I don't get any pop-up. Biggest hastle is, sometime the process works,
and sometime it does not. It is somewhat frustrating.

>
> I'm just trying to determine whether your screen size is extending outside the monitor boarder...


Do you mean, outside the monitor physical border? Does that explain something?
Hope I don't have a bad capacitor in the motherboard !

Appreciate questions.
 
U

User66

Flightless Bird
"Jeffrey W. Bowen" <NOmcquireSPAM@NOcomcastSPAM.net> wrote in message
news:%23xlIUPioKHA.1544@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Hello again,
>
> Here are a couple of links that may be of some help:
>
> Detailed guide for troubleshooting taskbar missing problem -
> http://www.petermartinconsult.supanet.com/computer/windows/taskbar.htm#kbase
>
> Microsoft Knowledgebase article - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/318027
>
> Again, I hope this helps. Good Luck
>
> --
> Peace,
>
> Jeffrey W. Bowen
> Remove NO SPAM entries from email address to send personal email.
>
> Please post replies of successes or failures so we all can benefit from each others' experiences.
>
>
> "Jeffrey W. Bowen" <NOmcquireSPAM@NOcomcastSPAM.net> wrote in message
> news:%23BGviHioKHA.3948@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hello User66,
>>
>> Have you tried holding down Ctrl and pressing the Esc button? If not then see if that will help
>> you get to your taskbar. If so then one of the suggestions below may help you restore your
>> taskbar.
>>
>> Are you the only user on your computer? If not, do any other users on your computer have access
>> through your account (does everyone know each others' passwords, or do you share with another
>> person in the family)?
>>
>> If you have multiple accounts on your computer, have the owner of one of them log in and see if
>> they have the same problem.
>>
>> You said you lost the desktop icons as well. 1) Right click on the desktop and go to 'Arrange
>> Icons and look down the list of options and see if there is a check next to 'Show Desktop Icons'.
>> If not then click on that. Your Icons should return. 2) If that worked, move your cursor slowly
>> down to the bottom of your screen until you get close to the edge and see if your cursor turns
>> into a double arrow with one pointing up and the other pointing below the screen edge out of
>> sight. If this happens, hold down the left mouse button and drag up to see if your taskbar comes
>> back.
>>
>> If that solved your problem, someone may have been playing a joke on you by hiding your icons and
>> minimizing your taskbar so you can't find it.
>> Then, hold down the Windows key (between the Ctrl and Alt keys on the lower left of your
>> keyboard. The 'run' window should pop up. If so, type explorer in the window and click 'ok'.
>> Hopefully this should bring back your icons and taskbar.
>>
>> Have you moved your cursor to each of the four sides of your computer screen to see if someone
>> might have moved it?
>>
>> Restart into safemode and see if the task bar is visible there. If so, restart into normal mode
>> and see if your taskbar returns.
>>
>> I hope something here helps. If not post back. I will keep searching for other possible
>> solutions. I am sure there is someone here who can zone in on the best solution for you.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> --
>> Peace,
>>
>> Jeffrey W. Bowen
>> Remove NO SPAM entries from email address to send personal email.
>>
>> Please post replies of successes or failures so we all can benefit from each others' experiences.
>>



Ctrl Esc does not function. In fact, if it did, I would at least have a way to

bring back activity.



This is an old PC in a small network, and each user is dedicated with their own

PC in their own room. (Kids are grown and gone).



Here is the quick history - This PC has a bundle of drives and two bootable

OP system. Both are Windows XP Pros. Normally, the second OP system

on D drive is always active because it has useful programs, etc. The first

bootable system is on C drive (which happens to be the old one, and

being used a little now, because it has all old time programs, i.e., from DOS to

Win95, Win98, WinXP etc.). Once in a while I do boot on this section and

make sure, it is functioning. This section is normally used for first time use of

any new program (bought or written).



The second bootable section on D drive is functioning OK, but the first section

on C Drive is not. It is possible to re-load the OP system on this drive, but

that is too much work. Besides, seems like, if booted from C drive and kept

the PC inactive for about 3 or 4 hours, problem shows up !



I hope I have described the problem.



Thank you so much for the web-addresses.

I will definitely re-post my findings.
 
U

User66

Flightless Bird
Somehow the mistake has been discovered !

These were the settings for screen :
1. Screen 'Properties'
2. 'Display Properties'
3. 'Screen Saver'
4. 'Monitor power', 'Power'
5. Under 'Power Option Properties', the setting for 'Power Schemes' was set for
'Max Battery', which was wrong, because this is not a Laptop, rather a Desktop.

6. Changed the setting to 'Home/Office Desk' and the PC is behaving OK!

The Taskbar/Toolbar is staying active now.

Thank you all. Appreciate your help.
 
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