Minimize App on Taskbar Gone

[dfrandin]

One of my supported users recently reported the following weirdness under WinXPPro/Sp1. The problem is this: Any app that is started, starts ok, but does not appear on the taskbar, thus when the user minimizes any app, the app cannot be maximized, only workaround is to bring up taskman and kill the app. The user prefers XP using the classic interface, and I've tried switching back to the XP interface, w/o effect. If I turn off the taskbar quick-launch, the taskbar never appears and cannot be made to appear, either with auto-hide on or off. Also the thin grey line that normally appears between the area of the app-minimized area of the taskbar and the quicklaunch area is missing. Has anybody seen this, or have a clue as to what's goofed up to cause this problem?

Thanks
Dave Frandin
dave AT frandin DOT OH R GEE

 

[linney]

It may be a program causing this, try using Msconfig to stop programs loading at Startup and see if this corrects the problem.


Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp