Minor Taskbar Problem

[Alan Keatinge]

I have just recently reformatted and reinstalled XP. Everything is
fine apart from a minor problem with the task bar. Previously it had 2
arrow heads pointing left and when they were clicked the task bar
expanded.

Now the task bar is fixed and won't alter. I have been to properties
and clicked "Hide inactive icons" but to no avail.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Keatinge

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Try this: Right-click on the taskbar and remove the checkmark from 'Lock the
Tasbar'.

'Hide inactive icons' refers to the System Notification Area (the "tray") on
the right side of the taskbar. Each icon represents a program running 'in
the background', i.e., without a visible window. Sometimes so many programs
are running in the background that the tray gets filled with icons. XP
allows you to 'hide' the inactive ones.

 

[Nepatsfan]

I have just recently reformatted and reinstalled XP.
Everything is fine apart from a minor problem with the task
bar. Previously it had 2 arrow heads pointing left and when
they were clicked the task bar expanded.

Now the task bar is fixed and won't alter. I have been to
properties and clicked "Hide inactive icons" but to no avail.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Alan Keatinge

Right click on the Taskbar. Look for a check mark next to "Lock
the Taksbar". If it's there, click on that entry to remove the
check mark. This should restore your ability to resize items on
the Taskbar.

Nepatsfan

 

[Alan Keatinge]

Right click on the Taskbar. Look for a check mark next to "Lock
the Taksbar". If it's there, click on that entry to remove the
check mark. This should restore your ability to resize items on
the Taskbar.

Nepatsfan

Thanks for the suggestion. Just did that, still the same.

Alan Keatinge

 

[Nepatsfan]

Thanks for the suggestion. Just did that, still the same.

Alan Keatinge

The only other double headed arrows I know of that are
dispalyed on the Taskbar are those associated with Toolbars
such as Quick Launch, My Computer or Desktop.

In your previous installation, did you add any of these
Toolbars? Right click on the Taskbar, move your mouse pointer
up to Toolbars and see if any of the items listed look
familiar.

Nepatsfan

 

[Alan Keatinge]

The only other double headed arrows I know of that are
dispalyed on the Taskbar are those associated with Toolbars
such as Quick Launch, My Computer or Desktop.

In your previous installation, did you add any of these
Toolbars? Right click on the Taskbar, move your mouse pointer
up to Toolbars and see if any of the items listed look
familiar.

Nepatsfan

I have tried all that. Something is locking the toolbar,
If you right click the toolbar and go properties, the example shows
the 2 arrows like it used to be if "Hide inactive icons" are
checked, if unclicked that is what I have.

Thanks for your help and sorry to be a pain.

Alan Keatinge

 

[RonK]

If you have reformated and reinstalled XP very recently, the auto hide
takes a few days to initiate. It will start on it's own.

 

[Nepatsfan]

I have tried all that. Something is locking the toolbar,
If you right click the toolbar and go properties, the
example shows the 2 arrows like it used to be if "Hide
inactive icons" are checked, if unclicked that is what I
have.

Thanks for your help and sorry to be a pain.

Alan Keatinge

No problem. It turns out that the source of our confusion is
the fact that you're using the Windows Classic theme while I'm
using the Windows XP theme. It wasn't until I switched to
Classic that I saw the double arrow you're talking about.

Try some of Kelly's suggestions listed under Notifcation Area:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_n.htm

I've found that problems with "Hiding Inactive Icons" can be
fixed by setting the first one listed to "Always hide".