corrupted task manager

[NCBill]

Somehow the task manager application in XP has become corrupted so that
when I open task manager, I get a simple window with the list of
currently open programs, but I do NOT get the various tabs at the top
which allow me to view CPU activity, processes open, etc. There is also
no place on the task manager to minimize, maximize, or close the
application. The only way I can close the application is to use Alt F4.

I assume that I can restore this by reloading windows XP, but I just
went through installing SP2 and wonder if reinstalling windows would
require reinstalling the service pack.

Is there a simpler fix for this?

 

[Ross Durie]

Yes there is a simpler fix given this is normal behaviour. Simply click on a
border and it will restore to the old view.

 

[PA Bear]

You can simply reinstall SP2, Bill. See
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318378 (ignore the IE/OE stuff).

Was your anti-virus application running when you installed SP2? Were any
other applications open at the time?

 

[Guest]

Sounds like you just double clicked it. Double click it again on an empty
spot other than the white application list area to restore it. Also, you can
fix this and the other task manager glitches (such as wrong update speed) by
deleting 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\TaskManager' in the registry.

Titlebar-less mode - another incredibly useful feature that removes
functions and usability. Only in software from Microsoft...

 

[Alex Nichol]

Somehow the task manager application in XP has become corrupted so that
when I open task manager, I get a simple window with the list of
currently open programs, but I do NOT get the various tabs at the top
which allow me to view CPU activity, processes open, etc. There is also
no place on the task manager to minimize, maximize, or close the
application. The only way I can close the application is to use Alt F4.

Double click in its broad border - that toggles between this compact
view and full view