Weird "tape-like" shadow under taskbar.

[Scott]

I don't know how better to describe it, so here's a link to a screenshot.

http://www.angrykeyboarder.com/images/off/tape.jpg

I like my taskbar at the top of the screen rather than the bottom.
However this problem doesn't occur when the taskbar is at the bottom of
the screen.

Also it eventually goes away, sometimes within a few minutes after
starting Windows, sometimes several hours later. Today it's been there
all day.

I'm running RC2 X64. I had this problem in RC1 as well.

Does anyone have any idea what this is and how I might be able to fix it?

Thanks.

 

[Chad Harris]

Scott--part of that addition looks like you have positioned the sidebar
under your taskbar. Try killing sidebar.exe in Task Manager processes and
restart it.

CH

 

[Scott]

Chad Harris spake thusly on 1/17/2007 8:43 PM:

Scott--part of that addition looks like you have positioned the sidebar
under your taskbar. Try killing sidebar.exe in Task Manager processes and
restart it.

I don't understand what you mean, but I killed sidebar.exe (which btw
was showing up twice in task manager) and restarted it. The problem
persists.

 

[Robert Firth]

This is a know issue. It is fixed in the RTM build. I don't think there is a
temporary fix for you except to leave the taskbar at the base of the screen.

--
/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Robert Firth *
* Windows Vista x86 RTM *
* http://www.WinVistaInfo.org *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * */

 

[Chad Harris]

I meant that the sidebar seems to be merged with the taskbar, because I can
see the clock in there--I'm not sure what exactly is up with the smudged
Recycle Bin although you might be able to stop that portion by removing it
from the desktop at Personalization.

You didn't say, but if there is a restore point prior to this happening, you
might try it. I don't know if Vista setup this way for you or not. I
haven't seen this issue mentioned before here or elsewhere.

CH

I didn't know about this as an issue that Robert just mentioned, but if
so, if it was there

 

[Scott]

Robert Firth spake thusly on 1/17/2007 9:03 PM:

This is a know issue. It is fixed in the RTM build. I don't think there
is a temporary fix for you except to leave the taskbar at the base of
the screen.

I'll live with it. I so much prefer it at the top. I'm glad to hear
it's been fixed. I expect my copy of Vista Ultimate to arrive at my
doorstep on Feb 1st.

 

[Chad Harris]

You have not made clear whether you started with this situation **the moment
you installed and then dragged to the top or not. So we don't know if a
system restore would help you.

Further, you have nothing to lose by putting in the DVD and doing a startup
repair. Given the sparcity of reports of this, it's not a wide spread
"known issue." I can'f find any reports of it on this group, but may have
missed them.

Startup Repair is confusingly named by MSFT because although it may be used
for a no boot windows, it can also be used to fix a wide variety of things.
There is no downside to trying it and it takes a few minutes of your time
and a few mouse clicks.

You run the startup repair tool this way:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For
information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a
DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
2. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to
the Lock button, and then click Restart.

This usually means that you enter bios setup by whatever key or keys
(sometimes there is more than one key that will do it for your model--go to
pc manufacturer site) and configure CD to be first in the boot order.

See for ref:
Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power
button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.
3. Set your language preference, and then click Next.

Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you
do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system
that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair to start the
repair process.
7. When the repair process is complete, click Finish.

Additional References for Startup Repair With Screenshots:

How to Use Startup Repair:

***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***

1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)

2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***

Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui/images/2014/500x375.aspx

Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img_vista02ctp-installSysRecOpt2.bmp

How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
http://www.windowsvista.windowsreinstall.com/vistaultimate/repairstartup/index.htm

3) Select your OS for repair.

4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
theWin RE feature:

You'll have a choice there of using:

1) Startup Repair
2) System Restore
3) Complete PC Restore

Good luck,

CH

 

[Scott]

Chad Harris spake thusly on 1/18/2007 8:41 AM:

You have not made clear whether you started with this situation **the
moment you installed and then dragged to the top or not. So we don't
know if a system restore would help you.

Who said anything about a System restore? He stated it's a known issue
that's been fixed in RTM.

That's all I needed to know.