Windows XP Taskbar: Task Names Do Not Appear

[Ian]

Hello,

Some kids were playing on my brother's computer (Windows XP Home) and goofed
some things up.

The problem he's got now is that the names of the active tasks no longer
appear in the Windows XP Taskbar (at the bottom of the screen).

The Start button does appear (at lower left), and the system tray does
appear (at lower right). The area in-between - for running tasks - is
completely empty.

When he does ALT+TAB task switching, icons/names for the running tasks do
show up there.

We have tried playing with the taskbar properties and have found six other
toolbars that can be displayed on the taskbar, but none of these displays
the active tasks.

Could anybody point us in the right direction please?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kaylene aka Taurarian]

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

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

Taskbar Unlock (Line 128)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Is your Quick Launch toolbar missing from the taskbar? To display your familiar
Quick Launch toolbar:
Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, click Toolbars, and then click Quick
Launch.
To add items to your Quick Launch toolbar, click the icon for the program you
want to add, and drag it to the Quick Launch portion of the taskbar.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Ian,

This generally has to do with WMP9. That said, run the fix from here:

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

 

[p2k222]

I have this problem too. However, none of the tools will run. I keep
getting errors. Other symptoms include difficulty staying connected on
the Internet, Java applets not running, certain Internet sites
unreachable including Hotmail. Can anyone help?

 

[Kelly]

What are the error messages?

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com