Go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 /i shell32
If that doesn't correct the issue (and it should) use this automated edit:
Remove Common Tasks from Desktop. This regedit or small VB Script utility
will modify the System Registry to remove Common Tasks from your Desktop.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#xp_rct
Remove Common Tasks from the Desktop (Line 15)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
To use the Regedit: Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it
and answer yes to the import prompt. REG files can be viewed in Notepad by
right clicking on the file and selecting Edit.
--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)
Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm
"Gene" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:CB58C31B-E4B8-4B29-8D7F-(E-Mail Removed)...
> My desktop screen is showing a white stripe that runs from top to bottom
> along the leftt side of the screen. It contains the items in "My
> Documents"
> and can be clicked on to bring up the desired document. The normal
> section
> of the desktop(blue) also shows the My Documents icon and it also works in
> the normal fashion.
>
> The white stripe can be widened by dragging the blue border to the right.
> It
> cannot be made to disappear by dragging the border to the left. A narrow
> stripe always remains.
>
> How do I get rid of the white srtipe?
>
> Using a Dell 2400 with Windows XP, SP-3
>
>
> --
> Gene B