Taskbar weirdness

[sparks691]

I have a laptop (newer Compaq) with an annoying problem. The taskbar
no longer shows running programs. It either shows as a gray rectangle
or as completly transparent (desktop shows through). The start button
is there and the system tray behaves normally but I can't access
minimized applications unless I use Alt-Tab.
This problem persists through multiple reboots.
I tried updating the graphics driver but nothing changed.
Using up to date Norton antiviurs and have thoroughly scanned for
spyware. No viri or spyware found.
Anyone seen this freaky thing before?

BDS

 

[MAP]

I have a laptop (newer Compaq) with an annoying problem. The taskbar
no longer shows running programs. It either shows as a gray rectangle
or as completly transparent (desktop shows through). The start button
is there and the system tray behaves normally but I can't access
minimized applications unless I use Alt-Tab.
This problem persists through multiple reboots.
I tried updating the graphics driver but nothing changed.
Using up to date Norton antiviurs and have thoroughly scanned for
spyware. No viri or spyware found.
Anyone seen this freaky thing before?

BDS

Give this a try.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Elmo]

I have a laptop (newer Compaq) with an annoying problem. The taskbar
no longer shows running programs. It either shows as a gray rectangle
or as completely transparent (desktop shows through). The start button
is there and the system tray behaves normally but I can't access
minimized applications unless I use Alt-Tab.
This problem persists through multiple reboots.
I tried updating the graphics driver but nothing changed.
Using up to date Norton anti-virus and have thoroughly scanned for
spyware. No virus or spyware found.
Anyone seen this freaky thing before?

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 240. Programs Aren't Minimized in the Taskbar

 

[sparks691]

Ok, I forgot to mention that this laptop is running XP tablet OS.
The offending item is some sort of taskbar button associated with the
tablet system. Basically it is a button on the taskbar that expands
to the full length of the taskbar so that the applications are hidden.
I can't resize it or move it.
If I boot into safe mode it goes away. Unchecking everything in
MSCONFIG/STARTUP doesn't kill it so It must be a service. Probably a
critical tablet service so I don't want to disable it.