Start button and System tray icon problem

N

Newsscanner

Hi everyone,
I use Windows XP Media center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2.

I have two problems, but I assume they are related:

a) My System Tray does not display all the icons that should be there, I
tried to disable UPnP, and that worked for a while, but not anymore.
I have also done Spyware and virus scans, all to no avail.
The only solution that works for me is to log off Windows and to log on
again, as I said, this does the job, but it is of course very annoying and
time consuming having to do that all the time.

b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my system
tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response, however,
my PC is not frozen, and the Start button does respond to the Windows key.
Also, at the same time I have the problem as described in point a.
My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop the explorer
process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer again via the Task
Manager.
This restores the use of my Start button, but does not bring the missing
icons back.

Is there anyone whop could help me sort this problem out, as it is extremely
annoying having to go through this constantly.

many thanks in advance,
Newsscanner.
 
M

M.I.5¾

Newsscanner said:
Hi everyone,
I use Windows XP Media center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2.

I have two problems, but I assume they are related:

a) My System Tray does not display all the icons that should be there, I
tried to disable UPnP, and that worked for a while, but not anymore.
I have also done Spyware and virus scans, all to no avail.
The only solution that works for me is to log off Windows and to log on
again, as I said, this does the job, but it is of course very annoying and
time consuming having to do that all the time.

Windows explorer is crashing. This causes Windows Explorer to restart and
when it does so, not all the processes start up again (hence the mising
icons). As you note, logging off and on again performs a full acount
restart.
b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my
system
tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response,
however,
my PC is not frozen, and the Start button does respond to the Windows key.
Also, at the same time I have the problem as described in point a.
My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop the explorer
process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer again via the Task
Manager.
This restores the use of my Start button, but does not bring the missing
icons back.

Is your mouse a USB mouse perchance? If so, then the explorer crash is not
restarting your USB mouse service.

As for a cure? Unless someone comes up with a better idea, you could try a
repair install of Windows.

When I had this problem (and a few others), the only way I managed to
resolve it was with a full rebuild of Windows.
 
E

Elmo

Newsscanner said:
Hi everyone,
I use Windows XP Media center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2.

I have two problems, but I assume they are related:

a) My System Tray does not display all the icons that should be there, I
tried to disable UPnP, and that worked for a while, but not anymore.
I have also done Spyware and virus scans, all to no avail.
The only solution that works for me is to log off Windows and to log on
again, as I said, this does the job, but it is of course very annoying and
time consuming having to do that all the time.

b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my system
tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response, however,
my PC is not frozen, and the Start button does respond to the Windows key.
Also, at the same time I have the problem as described in point a.
My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop the explorer
process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer again via the Task
Manager.
This restores the use of my Start button, but does not bring the missing
icons back.

Is there anyone whop could help me sort this problem out, as it is extremely
annoying having to go through this constantly.

many thanks in advance,
Newsscanner.

Click Start, Run, type SFC /SCANNOW, click OK. If any files are damaged
or missing, they'll be replaced. You may need to reboot afterwards so
damaged files will be replaced.

Line 117. Restore Taskbar and Start Menu
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Line 164. Restore Taskbar and Desktop to Default Functionality
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm
 
E

Elmo

stormadvisor said:
Question..... How can he do this if he can not use his start button?
The reason I ask is my boss is having the same issue. The 3 finger
salute procedure does not get it back.

Thanks

He could get the Start button working after the C-A-D.. He also sees
the Start button. ".. does not get it back" suggests your boss has the
problem where, basically, it'll take a reinstall of XP to get the Start
menu and Taskbar back. If Ctrl/Esc also doesn't get the Start Menu, try
booting to Safe Mode and see if it works there.

These will work if the boss can get to them. One way to start programs
such as Iexplore.exe (Internet Explorer), press C-A-D and click File,
New Task (Run), type the name of the program.

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

Line 117. Restore Taskbar and Start Menu
Line 164. Restore Taskbar and Desktop to Default Functionality
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318027
___________________________________________________
Virus maybe? Try one of these Virus Removal Tools:

Avast! One tool for any current virus
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Symantec Virus Removal Tools
http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/removaltools.jsp

F-Secure Virus Removal Tools
http://www.f-secure.com/download-purchase/tools.shtml

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tools
http://www.kaspersky.com/removaltools
_____________________________________

If these suggestions presented more questions than answers, please post
again.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top