Taskbar - Customize Notifications list Empty

[Guest]

The customize notifications list in the taskbar (for setting the icon
behaviours) is empty. There's no item in the list, and there never was since
i've installed XP. So I can't set icon behaviours.

My first installation was Xp with SP1, later I upgraded to SP2 because of
this problem, but nothing changed.

What I've done to date:
-"Hide inactive icons" is checked.
-Tried clearing past items from the list (although there was none)
-Used TaskbarRepairToolPlus and PSTray Factory
-Tried various registry fixes from Kelly's Korner and other sites
-Searched the registry entries containing 'tray' (TrayNotify etc.) for
relevant things numerous times
-Removed UPnP and SSDP
-Several other things I can't remember

While struggling with this, the chevron has gone missing for three days and
mysteriously returned back. In some phase, 'hide inactive icons' went grey
for some time and returned to normal after doing something (i can't exactly
remember what i did)

The chevron is present now, and the hide inactive icons option is checked.
The taskbar hides some of my items by itself, but I can't edit which item
does what.

What should I do to recover the list?

All comments are welcome.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

There is no question in my mind about what is wrong. You have a corrupt
Theme file(s). To put my claim to the test, change to Classic theme.
(rightclick desk, properties, theme tab, set dropbox to Classic)
I also have a suggestion for a fix, (if I'm right, of course)

To repair all system files, go to Start/Run, and type: SFC /SCANNOW

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mark,
I've changed the theme, and applied sfc /Scannow, but that didn't help.
The list is still empty.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

If you have the regular XP setup CD, I would try a Repair setup.

Perform a Repair Installation:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx