Taskbar and Start Button not visable

[MGGibson]

I have three users installed on my computer. One of the users' taskbar and
start button is not visible. I am able to log the user off with
ctrl/alt/delete. Restart does not help. I started in safe mode and task bar
for the affected user does appear, however when I restart in full system
mode, it is not visible. I tried go-back to midnight last night without
success.
This has happened recently, twice before, to another user on my computer.
Using go-back fixed the problem each time but I lost some info.
There has not been any new software installed except for automatic updates.
Thank you, Mike

 

[StressMonkey]

Maybe autohide has been activated? If you drag your mouse down to the
bottom of the screen where the task bar should be, can you see it then?

 

[Kelly]

This generally has to do with display drivers. If you have recently done so
or ran the MS updates to do so, try a rollback via the Device Manager. If
this is not the case, use Ctrl/Alt/Delete and end process on Explorer.exe if
it is listed and either way, then go to File/New Task (Run) and type in:
Explorer.exe.

Explorer.exe repeatedly quits unexpectedly in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=883791

If still nothing:

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

To use the VBS Files: Download .vbs file and save it to your hard drive (you
may want to right click and use Save Target As). Double click the vbs
file. You will be prompted when the script is done.

NOTE: If your anti-virus software warns you of a "malicious" script, this
is normal if you have "Script Safe" or similar technology enabled. These
scripts are not malicious, but they do make changes to the System Registry.

Added info:

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