I've Lost The Top Inch of My Desktop

[Ac]

I've lost the top inch of so of my desktop. After I log in, the
wallpaper covers the viewable area of my monitor, and my desktop icons
line up vertically on the left side. After about 30 seconds, my
wallpaper blinks, the top inch of my wallpaper turns (Microsoft) blue,
and my icons shift down accordingly. When I maximize an application,
the app only goes to the top of the wallpaper. I can drag an app
around the desktop, but only to that invisible barrier (an inch from
the top of my viewable area). I can right click and get a submenu
when I'm on the wallpaper, but not when I'm in that top inch of blue.
This only happens when I log on. I can log on as another user, and
everything's fine. I've got current video drivers, SP's and updates.
I use Norton WinDoctor on occasion, and it regularly finds missing
links, stray registry keys, etc. that I delete. I think I've either
deleted or messed up a key. I run Win2000 with an ATI Radeon DDR 32MB
card in 1024x768 resolution. It's never been a problem until a week
ago. Can someone lend a hand? Thanks.

Ac, MCP

 

[Ray at]

This sounds like what happens when you turn on the magnifier (in
accessibilities in accessories in programs in start menu, by default, I
believe). Except, when you have the magnifier on, you'll actually see
what's going on in that top inch. Maybe you have the magnifier set to run
but it's messed up and not displaying things right or something. I'd play
around with the magnifier to see if anything happens.

Ray at work

 

[Ndi]

This can also happen because a toolbar is set to load there but for some
reason didn't. Try to drag a toolbar (my computer) to that side and then
drag it back again.

 

[Ac]

This can also happen because a toolbar is set to load there but for some
reason didn't. Try to drag a toolbar (my computer) to that side and then
drag it back again.

Ndi,

You rock! After your suggestion, I thought about the Norton Utilites
toolbar that I moved around "for fun". It ended up at the top of my
desktop. Yet after that, it never showed itself on my desktop, or in
my taskbar. I uninstalled Norton Utilities and won back the top inch
of my desktop. Now I can maximize all my apps. For a control freak
like me, it's heaven! Thanks again.

Ac

 

[Ac]

This sounds like what happens when you turn on the magnifier (in
accessibilities in accessories in programs in start menu, by default, I
believe). Except, when you have the magnifier on, you'll actually see
what's going on in that top inch. Maybe you have the magnifier set to run
but it's messed up and not displaying things right or something. I'd play
around with the magnifier to see if anything happens.

Ray at work

Ray,

Thanks for the tip. I already solved the mystery with the toolbar tip
from Ndi, but I looked into your idea. Magnifier works in that same
inch at the top of my desktop, but it goes away when I click exit. I
learned something new about Magnifier today. Thanks again for your
ideas.

Ac