taskbar notification area problems

[C.M.G.]

windows xp pro sp2

I have recently noticed that the button with the left-pointing arrow that
separates the taskbar from the notification area has disappeared, and I
cannot "show hidden icons" any more.

I have gone to taskbar/properties/notification area and reset the
properties, but that has not fixed it. Any ideas how to repair this? (Note
that taskbar behavior is normal on another user account on the same
machine.)

Thanks,

Clem.

 

[Unknown]

Are you sure you HAVE hidden icons?

 

[C.M.G.]

Yes- I inserted a memory key.

Clem.

Are you sure you HAVE hidden icons?

 

[Unknown]

Are they truly 'inactive'?

Yes- I inserted a memory key.

Clem.

 

[C.M.G.]

I am not sure; however, I do know this:

1, the memory key shows up in the "hidden" category in the other user
account.

2, if it were not inactive, should it not show up to the right of the button
(i.e., as an active icon)?

3, even when it does not show up as hidden, inactive, or active anywhere in
the notification area, it does show up under "my computer."

Any other ideas?

Clem.

 

[Unknown]

You may not be configured to show that icon under your user account. Load
the program and see if it shows up.

 

[C.M.G.]

The memory key really is not a program, it is a device. I cannot load it, I
can just insert it into the USB. However, if I "hide" other items that
appear in the taskbar notification area, then the button with the
left-pointing arrow does appear. It therefore seems that the problem is
specific to the user account and memory key.

Clem.

 

[Kelly]

For most users, setting the very first icon to Always Hide, restores the
arrow/chevron. Also be certain that the "behavior" of each of each icon is
what you want it to be. Right-click each, to make changes.

Added info:

Icons in the Notification Area May Disappear If You Use High-Contrast Color
Themes in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q321213

Troubleshooting the Notification Area
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_n.htm#na

Added tips:

Hide or Show Inactive Icons in the Notification Area (Line 53)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

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

Once done, Open Task Manager, click the Processes tab, click Explorer.exe,
and then click End Process. In Task Manager, click File, click New Task,
type explorer, and then click OK.

The "Past Items" values are written to the registry as part of the user log
off process. This is why it is necessary to "crash" Explorer, so the system
will re-read the new values, and not retain the old ones that are already in
memory from a reboot.



--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

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

 

[C.M.G.]

Kelly:

Thank you for your response. I tried both scripts on "line 53,"
unfortunately, to no avail.

I think the problem is not *primarily* one of the notification area. Rather,
it seems to be specific to notification area icons for removable disk drives
(such as a memory key) on one particular user account. In other words, all
other notification area icons behave appropriately in the affected user
account, and the removable disk drive notification area icons behave
normally in other accounts or newly created accounts.

Further, if I go to device manager and uninstall the USB memory key driver,
and then re-install it by plugging the memory key into the USB, the
notification area icon for this driver behaves normally until I reboot.
Then, it disappears from the notification area (but only for the affected
account).

I have (incidentally?) noticed that the automatic opening behavior of
explorer for the memory key also is lost when I reboot.

Any ideas what this is all about?

Thanks,

Clem.