Taskbar overload after XP SP2

[Guest]

After SP2, now when I log into my professional edition on my IBM T41 laptop,
an icon appears in the lower right hand corner of my taskbar. Than it
reappears, and reappears and continues to reappear. Before long there are
about 25 of these little icons from my system time to three quarters of the
way to my Start button. After about 20 seconds they start to fade one by one
until there is only one left by the system time.

I'm not sure what the icon is because when I put my mouse over the last one
remaining, it disappears. Even when I put it over the numerous icons
initially, it does not tell me what they are. I *think* it is something
around new hardware such as either "new hardware found" or "device drivers
installed for new hardware" because it seems like I have seen this icon
before. It is a dark gray Y (looks more like a USB symbol with a dot) that
is turned 90 degrees clockwise so that it is lying on its side.

Any ideas?

 

[Guest]

Disconnect any USB peripherals you have connected and reboot. See if it
reoccurs. If not, plug in the items one at a time you may find the culprit.

 

[Guest]

I never use any USB periphs on this laptop. I did once use a webcam but it
was way before SP2.

 

[Kelly]

Interesting.....

What peripherals do you have connected to your laptop? Are there any
symbols or open categories via the Device Manager (check hidden devices as
well)? Is there anything odd/obvious via msconfig/Startup?

In the meantime, try cleaning out Past Items:

Remove Past Items From the Notification Area (Line 53)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

If none of the above helps nor applies, could you send me a screen shot via
email?