Taskbar freezes preventing task switching

[Gloryhound]

Periodically when trying to click on a program that is already running in the taskbar the taskbar will become non-responsive and not spawn the program I'm clicking on. The only way to resolve this is to click on the start button and then restart.
any ideas?

 

[linney]

Is that any program, or one particular program that crashes?

When the fault occurs are you running the same collection of third party programs, is one of them always present at this time?

How long has this been a problem, can you trace back to what has been installed that may have first caused the problem?


Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

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

Things like Defragging and running Disk Cleanup may help, as too, checking for malware.

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650