XP System Tray - Notifications 1

[blechz]

A number of programs running in the backgrund in Windows XP are supposed to have their icon displayed in the notification area of the taskbar (the area next to the clock). This is important because some of these programs can only be accessed by clicking this icon. However, I am experiencing a mysterious "disappearing icon" syndrome. For example, the "sync" icon for Palm no longer appears - although it is running and I can indeed sync my palm.

I went into the "properties" control of that area - and lo and behold all of these programs are in the "past items" section - and thus don't show up even when "always show" is indicated.

How can I bump these programs from "past items" to "current items"?

Thanks to anyone who is listening.

Sheldon Blech

blechz@aol.com

 

[linney]

What you are doing sounds correct. I can only suggest you exit and reload each program you want to show in the Notification Area. Set each programs hide or show in the properties of the Taskbar under "Hide Inactive Icons" and click OK in that window and then click Apply in the main Taskbar properties window. See if they stick then.

 

[blechz]

Thanks. But it doesn't help. Any other suggestions?

Sheldon Blech

 

[linney]

Hide when inactive is the default setting for all Notification area icons. This behavior can be disabled altogether by clicking to clear Hide inactive icons in the taskbar properties

 

[blechz]

Thanks again, but that is not the problem. When you go into the notification window properties screen (and hit "hide inactive icons" - you then hit "customize" - at which point you see "current items" and "past items". The current items can be conrolled to appear or not appear. Indeed, when you unclick the "hide inactive icons" button, all icons in the CURRENT ITEMS list will appear. The problem is that I want the icons in the PAST ITEMS to appear!!!!!! They are still running!!!! For example, the "sound" icon cannot be viewed in the taskbar, although the "Place Volume Icon in Taskbar" box is clicked in the "Sounds" section of the Control Panel. If I really want it to show, I must unclick that button, apply, the re-click it on - then it icon will show up for a while - and it appers in the CURRENT ITEMS list. After a while, however, it migrates to the 'PAST ITEMS' list, and it does not show up regardless of what I do.

Many other icons - such as 'sync" for Palm, do the same thing. They are all active - I can sync my Palm - but I can't get them to appear.

In summary, I don't want them to go into the PAST ITEMS list. Is there any way to disable that feature?

Sheldon Blech

 

[linney]

See if the fixes mentioned here help you. This is apparently a known bug with XP.

http://groups.google.com/groups?sou...hide+inactive+icons"+past+problems+windows+xp

 

[herculux1]

If you Defragment or even as a last resort do a chkdsk,you will find that on completion of the said task(s) that all your notifications will still be there but NO past items.
You will have to set up your hide or show again. All the best.