Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it

Subject: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 10:36 PM

Rog and I are both at a loss and I couldn't find anything on google which seemed to address this:

we gave our daughter back east my laptop this last December. It's a Dell Inspiron 1200 about a year old with very low mileage. After she and her friend used it with wifi and had no problems, the wifi went wonkey when they were downloading some music and quit working.

We decided it needed a new driver install. I downloaded the correct one from Dell and sent it to her on a CD. Tonight, when they booted up to do the install, all they could get to is the background picture. When they boot up, there is the usual box on a blue screen which asks if she wants to sign on using her name, which is the usual way she starts it up. After clicking on her name, it goes to the regular screen, the desktop background, which shows up fine. While it is coming up, she sees the few shortcut icons she has. They flicker on for a second and then disappear. Then there is nothing but the background, no start, taskbar, nothing. When she right clicks on the screen nothing comes up. I had her try to go to each edge and bring up the little arrows which point both ways and try to stretch it, thinking maybe it was so scrunched it looked as though it was gone, but the little arrows wouldn't show up either.

So..any ideas of what is going on? And, how do we force it to boot up in safe mode and/or do a system restore/recovery?

Oh, and she did do a ctl/alt/del. It showed a bunch of processes.Also it would play a video CD which I also sent her, using WinMediaPlayer, so I know something is working!

Help?

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 10:48 PM

I may have spoke too soon. Trying this now:

You can use the quick-restore feature - CTRL-F11 at boot - that will restore the system to as-shipped.

Before you do, however, I would run the Dell diagnostics to rule out a hardware problem. Power on, press F12, Dell diagnostics.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 10:59 PM

The Start bar can be pushed off (click and drag) the screen at whichever edge you've placed it. The guess would be that someone caught it when they were doing a click-drag. You should be able to pull it back up by clicking on the edge of the screen and dragging.

Once you can find it, right click on the bar and click "lock the Taskbar" and it won't happen again.

Even without the taskbar visible, Ctl-Esc should open the Start roller, and there should be an item there at "Settings" for "Taskbar and Start Menu." If you click on the Taskbar and Start Menu it should open a small window, where both the lock Taskbar and an "Auto-hide the Taskbar" should appear. If someone has checked the Auto-hide, the Taskbar is supposed to disappear when it's not needed.

If the Taskbar is hidden, and the lock Taskbar has a check beside it, you might have to "uncheck" the lock to be able to drag the bar back.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 11:02 PM

Start|Help|Index "taskbar"

To display the taskbar
If the taskbar is hidden, right-click the Start button, click Properties, and then, on the Taskbar tab, clear the Auto-hide the taskbar check box.
If you have temporarily hidden the taskbar by dragging the top edge down, drag the visible edge upward to redisplay the taskbar.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 11:24 PM

Thanks, John. She's gone to sleep by now, but we'll try it in the morning. Good thing we have cheap long distance! I forgot about click and drag.:-;

As to your second instructions,I don't know of any "Start" button, except that to the far left on the taskbar, correct? That is what is not showing up at all.

Thanks a bunch!

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 12:15 AM

Button at bottom far left is the Start button they're talking about.

If it's not visible, and if it won't let you drag the bar into view:

Control-Escape will bring up the Start menu, and on it you can select Settings, Taskbar and Start Menu Settings, where you should be able to turn off a "hide taskbar" and/or unlock the taskbar so it can be dragged back into view.

Once you get the taskbar where you want it, I'd suggest right-click on any blank space on the taskbar and click "lock taskbar."

John

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 12:27 AM

I one time reset the desktop resolution too high and it pushed things all over the place out of the viewable portion of the screen, out where I couldn't reach them. So another possibility is that the resolution needs resetting. Right click the mouse over any blank area on the desktop and go to "Properties." There are several tabs and the last one is "settings." Double check to see that there isn't a possibility to overshoot the actual pixel range of the monitor by going larger than 1280x1024 (or smaller, for a laptop). It has been a long time, on a much older system, but still, it's one more possibility. Good luck. Isn't long distance computer support such a thrill [not!]?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JennyO
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 01:15 AM

Right click the mouse over any blank area on the desktop and go to "Properties."

...only she said that when she right clicks on the screen, nothing comes up.

What JIK said sounds like the thing to try.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 09:21 AM

Thanks, Jenny, that's right, a right click brings up nothing. Thanks, though, SRS. I had thought of the resolution, too, but can't seem to get into anything in which to change it. Long distance..oh yeah, I am thrilled!**bg**

John, we tried the click and drag. Nothing. Next I had them try the ctrl escape, it made noise but nothing came up. Any other ideas? (I guess they could send it back to me OR take it into a repair shop.)

Thanks!!

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 10:19 AM

Pop the operating system disk in and click on "repair" when it asks if you want to repair or reinstall. It should go back to the default settings. If it doesn't, then reinstall Windows.

Someone else just started a thread on this. Do you suppose there is a malicious virus going around zapping unprotected taskbars?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 10:33 AM

Not sure if it came with an operating disk. If it did that means it is the same place stray socks go when I launder them and I will have to excavate, then send it to her.

The other thread is about an address bar. Different kettle of fish. Tks.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 11:29 AM

There is a setting to remove (not display) all icons from the desktop, although it should leave the start bar visible, unless the start bar has also been dragged off or the "hide taskbar" setup has been clicked. The normal way of accessing the "show desktop icons" is a right click on a blank place on the desktop. The right click should get the popup box where you can click "Arrange icons by." When you click the "Arrange icons by" one of the choices near the bottom of the popup menu is "Show desktop icons" and it should have a check mark next to it. IF the check mark isn't there, no icons are displayed.

If you do get the popup menu when you right click on the desktop, clicking the "show desktop icons" to put a check mark beside it should bring back the icons, although it often takes several seconds for the desktop to reload/unload when you change the setting. Details at Your Desktop Icons Are Missing in Windows XP: KB330170.

If you don't get even the popup menu when you right click the desktop, it probably indicates that no desktop is loading, which could be from damaged or missing files, or possibly due to display hardware or monitor settings. Some older flatpanel displays do not work well, or sometimes at all, if a screen resolution other than the "physical pixel density" of the display is set; although none of the few I've seen will permit you to change the resolution to something that won't work.

A safe-mode boot should bring up a default lower resolution display that would at least allow you to look at settings(?).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 12:06 PM

I am stumped, John. We've tried all things you mentioned and nothing comes up. It's weird because on booting up it does take her to that log in screen with her user name, but after that nothing but the background. Nothing when she right clicks, etc.

We'd only had the thing about a year, bought it brand new and it was hardly ever used so I don't *think* it is hardware. I think it is something stupid simple but I need it in hand to try some tricks myself. My daughter has never been into computers and so there's a learning curve there, too.:-) Thanks a bunch!

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 03:28 PM

If your 'Start' button is missing (It often is if you have no Taskbar) try the little 'Windows' button on the keyboard (Bottom row leftish, looks like a flag with a tattered 'fly') This should pull your 'Start' menu onto screen, allowing you to follow John In Kansas' other suggestions.

Nigel

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 06:11 PM

Thanks, Nigel. I called my dau. and told her to try that. I hate to keep sounding like a wet blanket, but that didn't work, either. She does notice, now, that the start button and taskbar flash on when it boots up, BUT as they come up and she tries to click on the start button, the list of programs, etc. come up in a flash and just as quickly disappear, again. I've told her to see if anyone she knows has Norton Utilities or Recovery, etc. or send it back us, or take it in. Thanks for all of your help, folks,

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 07:14 PM

The desktop icons are all generally stored in "user folders." In the normal case, when you add a new user at least a few default icons will show, and the user can then add whatever icons are wanted.

If a user is deleted, sometimes a blank user desktop can come up for that user, or even for all users. If someone has been trying to change users, it's possible that something of this sort has happened.

Depending on how changes were entered, with the "right mistakes" the original user (the deleted one?) might still be able to get in with the former password, or might get to the login page but be blocked from proceeding further.

The problem, relying on my own fuzzy memory, occurs most often if someone tries to "clean up" and deletes the "default user" identity, but the details are "unremembered." It's been some time since I encountered the info (at Microsoft Search) and digging it up again might take a while - if they haven't decided it's a "feature" and deleted the articles.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 07:52 PM

Can she start it in Safe Mode? I saw John suggested that above--and you said you've tried everything, but you didn't describe this. Usually as soon as the screen begins to flicker messages you'll see a brief blurb about Safe Mode and pressing F-12 or one of the others, depending on your manufacturer. Did Safe mode come up? And what does it look like? Any help there to run diagnostics? Can she go back to a date when it was working?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 08:57 PM

Tried that,SRS, thanks. No safe mode comes up, nothing. F12 nor F11 work one of which should run it in safe mode and the other of which should come up with Dell diagnostics as noted above.

John, I did put her in as the user, instead of me, back in Nov. but it's been working fine with that. I think one of them didn't know what they were doing and have either gotten a virus or changed something by accident.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 09:37 PM

I don't suppose someone kept a backup of the computer in Ghost, did they, on a remote hard drive or a series of CDs or DVDs? If you can't do the Go Back thing, then rewriting it to the drive may be your best option.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 09:43 PM

Have you tried using a boot disk? If your computer isn't looking at the proper drive to start the boot process from disk, then you need to catch the bios message and reset the bios so the device you want to boot from is the first place the computer looks. You can boot from the Windows OS Disk if you set it up this way, and you should be able to reinstall over the bad stuff. That's how I finally got into the kids' Dell after their hard drive died.

The other thing you could do is put in a new hard drive, install the operating system and software onto it, and connect the other drive, via an external case, as a slave, and you can see what data is there to be retrieved. You need to reset permissions in one place in order to access material on the old hard drive, because it won't let you in otherwise. I forget where it is, but you can do a search in the Windows database and find that information. It's a System thing.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Mar 07 - 09:49 PM

That's why they need to send it to me or take it in. I have the stuff to do those things with. Thanks, I don't think this one is going to be solved long-distance. I appreciate the input, folks.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 02:23 PM

Mention above of 'Boot Disks' reminds me. Some weird problems (including some like yours) can occur if someone forgets to remove a disk before shutting down, and the computer tries to 'Boot' from the contents of the wrong drive.
Just re-check that there's nothing in your Floppy Drive/CD Drive/Camera Smart Card drive/USB memory stick slot etc.,

CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 02:45 PM

Sounds easier to buy a new one.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 03:15 PM

Thanks, NIgel. I had thought of that, too, but all I thought to ask about was the wifi card, which I had her remove. Nothing helped. I know the dvd drive has been empty as she put in one I'd sent and it played fine, then she took it out. I will double-check with her, though.

Sorcha, I know it is something simple, I *think* and it costs too much to replace it as the moment.:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 02:44 AM

Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open Task Manger. Goto process tab and find explorer.exe. After that, End explorer.exe and press file > New Task > type "explorer" > OK.

This will restart the whole Explorer, not your computer.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Scrump
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 06:17 AM

That's one thing that annoys me about Windows. It's easy to do something like that accidentally (i.e. drag the task-bar off the screen), but it's a b*gg*r to find out what you did to cause it to disappear and find out how to get it back again. It may seem obvious to Gatesy's Geeks, but it ain't to the likes of us 'ordinary' users (or 'suckers' as I expect Gates would prefer to call us). Maybe it seems obvious in hindsight, once you find out what you did and how to fix it, but only after a lot of sweating (and swearing!).

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 07:18 AM

See GUEST up there with the Task Manager stuff: try it, Kat.

I've closed programs so I could run defrag, and closed wrongly explorer.exe because I didn't know what it was. Bye-bye icons and task bar - I had to restart the computer to get them back

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 09:32 AM

But restarting the computer doesn't bring them back, so the damage is more extensive.

Amazing all of the things that we've discovered can go wrong with our computers. This place is a regular brain trust--Microsoft should put us all on a generous salary to help them with their OS development. :)

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 09:36 AM

Thanks, I'll have her try tonight when she get back from work.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: GUEST,Irene
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 02:42 PM

Had the same problem on a friend's pc. Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open Task Manger, click new task, type explorer.exe in the open field. click ok

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 04:18 PM

I just had MY taskbar disappear...no idea why. So hit the 'WIN' key..(or, as John says, ctrl/esc will work)..then went to control panel->taskbar&start menu-> and checked 'auto hide'.....when I exited, the taskbar APPEARED when I moused over it...so I went back to control panel and UNchecked 'auto-hide'...and LO...it was back again. Gotta trick it!

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:03 PM

I'll be darned, Bill. Had no idea there was such a choice! When we get that far I will have her check that.

I am assuming since I use firefox and had loaded that for her browser, too, she should click on it rather than look for explorer, correct, folks? I don't even have explorer showing up in my processes.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:13 PM

there's "Explorer" the Windows file management system and "Internet Explorer" the browser. They created years of confusion when they used past of the same name for both. Nothing will show in processes unless it is running. "IE" the browser has to be on the machine, but it can be parked in a dark corner if you use Firefox. ..(Likewise, "Windows 'Explorer', the file system can be parked in another dark corner for 'most' things if one uses a good substitute File Manager ...like "Free Commander", or any of several others.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:15 PM

No, Kat. Just follow the steps above.

It's not Internet Explorer, but a program more basic to Windows than that. I think it's what gives you your desktop.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:15 PM

(This is the 2nd or 3rd time my taskbar has disappeared, but I 'think' I just rebooted before and let everything re-set itself)

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:20 PM

Kat, you can always try the reverse of GUEST's directions. Go to Task Manager (Ctrl/Alt/Del), find 'explorer.exe' and shut it down. You can see if the result looks like what your daughter's computer is doing.

WARNING: if you DO try this, you'll have to re-start your computer to get back to normal again, but that's all it should take.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:24 PM

hmmm...yeah...I guess "explorer.exe" does need to be there. I forget that it is 'built-in' like that. I 'almost' never use it to 'explore' my files though...I use the one above, or Explorer² lite..or a couple more.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:28 PM

Well, part of the mystery is solved, I think. A little brother of a friend, said little brother in classes at college learning how to do all of this stuff, appears to have helped himself and created a user account for himself on that laptop. I am sure, in the process, he accidentally deleted or hid a bunch of files, etc. which my dau. cannot find, including the start button and task bar. I'll bet anything, Bill, he ticked that auto-hide button.

I had her log off, in task manager, under his user name, then boot up. The start button and task bar flashed before her very eyes and then went away again. She is calling the little brother as I type to give him a piece of her mind, my mind and pick his brain to figure out what in the aitch he did. And, my family wonders why I am SO picky about who uses my computer!

Anyone have any idea how we can find the control panel without using the start button/menu? Is there a way to force the computer into C:etc. and find it that way? We need to get in there and redo the user accounts and check on the task bar auto-hide, etc.

Thanks!!

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:36 PM

Kat, if the taskbare were on autohide, it would pop up when she waved the mouse over it.

I guess I'm out of this, because I think you'll have to do what GUEST said. If I'm wrong, no big deal.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:45 PM

Sorry, Jeri, I forgot to say we tried what guest said. When she typed in explorer.exe in the New Task box, it came up with a message saying Windows couldn't find it, to check the spelling etc. Also, I was wrong. Explorer.exe does show up in my processes, but it does not in hers.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 05:47 PM

That might be the problem.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 06:06 PM

Running the OS disk would probably restore it if the program was accidentally deleted.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: GUEST,katlaughing sans cookie
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 06:17 PM

Yeah, I was afraid of that, Jeri.:-)

That, too, SRS...I have to find it, first!

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 06:26 PM

As I said above..(following what JiK says control/escape 'should' give you the start menu(it does for me)...then 'control panel' should be in that list.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 06:37 PM

does this machine have a "WIN" key? (a little thing like a waving flag with 4 spots , like smaller flags?(between 'ctrl' and 'alt', maybe?) That is the shortcut, if it is there.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 08:11 PM

Grasping at straws ...

Start Menu and Windows Task Bar Are Missing After You Upgrade to Windows XP

Article ID : 818150
Last Review : May 6, 2003
Revision : 1.0
SYMPTOMS

When you upgrade your computer to Microsoft Windows XP, the Start menu and the Windows taskbar may be missing. Also, when you press CTRL+ESC, the Start menu does not appear. However, if you start Windows XP in Safe mode, the Start menu appears correctly.

CAUSE
This problem may occur if you have a built-in video adapter on your computer's motherboard, and then you install second video adapter on your computer.

RESOLUTION
To correct this problem, turn off the built-in video adapter.

For more information about how to turn off the built-in video adapter, see the documentation that came with your computer.

WinXP has provisions for multiple monitors, and the setup can be made without having a second monitor physically present (if you try really hard). It's unlikely a young experimentor c(w)ould install a physical device in a laptop, but attempting to attach an external monitor could result in two drivers pointing to the same display, or a second driver pointing to a disconnected device. It's possible that someone was trying to "install a new device" to change screen resolution, instead of changing the settings for the existing one - even if no real device existed, and the conflict might possibly cause the symptoms seen.

A SAFE MODE boot should let you get to Control Panel, System, Hardware Tab, Device Manager, where you could delete/uninstall all the display drivers. A reboot would let PnP pick up at least a default driver to get the machine functional.

??????? maybe ?? someone poking about in user idents and/or display settings could have had an accident ??

John

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 09:33 PM

Yes, it has the windows flag, no it didn't work as it should according to previous suggestions.

No, ctl & esc do not bring up anything.

The only thing we can get to show up, for more than a nanosecond is the task manager.

It came with WinXP,so the upgrade problems shouldn't be there, BUT you may have something, John, with someone (idjit!) trying to install another monitor or something??? I will talk with her tomorrow and see if they've had any luck. FWIW, the little brother is terribly embarrassed but couldn't tell her what to do unless he "looks at it." I told her he'd better not get within a mile of it!

I can't even figure out how to get her to safe mode boot, as when she turns it on, it goes right to the blue screen with her user name.There is no black screen showing C prompt or anything like I am familiar with.

I will also look for the OS disk, tomorrow. If all else fails, I'll send it to her and see if they can rectify it that way.

Thanks a bunch, folks.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Mar 07 - 03:35 PM

Paraphrasing, A login screen appears, then a blue screen appears with background, then nothing happens. BIOS boot is apparently okay, so the problem is most likely when startup transfers to the hard drive. Since Dell (and most laptops) includes "hard drive password" capability and stores the passwords in BIOS, the login screen that appears could come from BIOS or from the hard drive.

No safe mode comes up, nothing. F12 nor F11 work one of which should run it in safe mode and the other of which should come up with Dell diagnostics

1. F2 while the Dell Logo is showing during startup should take you to (BIOS) Setup.
You can also, on some Dell machines, get to Setup at any time while the machine is running using F11+F1.

2. My Dell Latitude laptop operators manual indicates that Dell Diagnostics requires that you boot from the "Drivers CD," using F11 during the boot. The Diagnostics program isn't on the hard drive for mine, since having it there would prevent you from diagnosing hard drive problems, and a drive corruption would prevent running Diagnostics for other problems; but it might be installed on the HD for other models. Note that the Dell Diagnostics program is specific to a particular Dell model and using "Dell Diagnostics" from a different model, or on any other computer, may give erroneous results.

3. The normal key (most common) for booting into Safe Mode is F8. Some computers use another key, and Dell in particular rearranges lots of things, so yours may use something else. (My Latitude manual doesn't include how to boot to Safe Mode.) Microsoft specifies F8 as the "proper" key to force a Safe Mode boot for WinXP, although OEMs like Dell do sometimes change it. Sometimes F8 will get you to Safe Mode even if an OEM has set another F-key or Esc to get you there.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 07 - 03:56 PM

Thanks, John. We will try that.

I did wade through some stuff at dell and found the following in answer to the same problem we've been having:

Hi,
This is usually caused by a virus.
I dont know which online scan you tried, but run these and see if they find anything. Let them fix anything they find.

Panda            http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Trojan Scan http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/

The same person recommended doing the task manager-explorer.exe thing as aove, so we'll try that again, too.

Subject: RE: Tech: taskbar is gone, nothing works to get it
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Mar 07 - 05:26 PM

...maybe....but I'll bet 25¢ it ISN'T a virus. :>)