Task Manager Problem

[zestril5]

In trying to fix some problems with a friends computer I tried to access the task manager to review what services etc.were running. Both Ctrl Alt Del or typing taskmgr in the run box resulted in a screen showing only CPU usage. There were no options for other views, No tabs at the top, and right clicking on the "window" showed nothing. I put window in quotes because this CPU usage screen was not a normal window. It had no bar on the top, no X in the corner.
The only way to close it was right clicking the active bar on the taskbar and choosing close.
Probably a simple fix but I found no reference at MS Knowledge base or google.
I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks

 

[kippy13]

Hi,
Double click on the grey area around the task bar.

"Sometimes I do not know but I try hard"- R.F. Haughty 1923

 

[linney]

193050 - Task Manager Menu Bar and Tabs Are Not Visible

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;193050&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[bcastner]

linney,

you know I love and respect you. But....

"WORKAROUND
To work around this behavior, perform the following steps:
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type taskmgr.exe.
Hold down CTRL+ALT+SHIFT at the same time, and while holding them down press ENTER."

Can you think of a harder way to do this?

 

[bcastner]

I am with kippy13 on this, double-click on the grey border. But linney has challenged us all:

. A registry script perhaps?
. Perhaps the above, pushed through Group Policy?
. an MSI wrapper application?

 

[linney]

They don't pay me enough to write the MSKB articles, I just produce the links (for the amusement of fellow Tek-Tips members).


SYMPTOMS
When you start Task Manager, the menu bar and tabs may not be visible.
CAUSE
This behaviour can occur if Task Manager is running in Tiny Footprint mode.

When you double-click the empty space in the border around the tabs, Task Manager switches to this mode.
RESOLUTION
To switch Task Manager to its normal display mode, double-click the top border of the window.






I thought this was helpful and less confusing than " Double click on the grey area around the task bar" and an answer to "I found no reference at MS Knowledge base."



Now you got me wondering, what is that "Workaround" suppose to workaround.

 

[bcastner]

linney,

Beats the heck out of me. It seems the strangest workaround I have seen, that is why I offered the contest to see if a more difficult workaround could be created. Left-Ctrl, then right click on X for an application to save windows placement is as far as I can process obscure key sequences under XP.

I offer as consolation prize my two favorite (to date) renaming of MS KB articles:

1. original: "How To Increase Performance after Installation of Service Pack 1 under Windows XP" (paraphrased, but close to the original wording)

change: "Heap algorithum changes for unusally large heap requests."

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=815411

(and nearly impossible to find)

2. original: "How To change the boot/drive letter in Windows XP"

change: "HOW TO: Restore the System/Boot Drive Letter in Windows"

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...ort/kb/articles/Q223/1/88.ASP&NoWebContent=1#

Which is in fact a fairer statement of the fact.

While the year 2004 is early, so far you are winning the prize: "The most obscure and difficult workaround to a simple issue under Windows XP"

I suspect I will be in the running for the prize soon myself.

All are eligible.

 

[kippy13]

I just write it as I see it.


"Sometimes I do not know but I try hard"- R.F. Haughty 1923

 

[zestril5]

Thanks All,
I didn't understand Kippy13's first message. I just got back to look at the rest of the answers and was able to get the tabs back.