Taskbar, desktop and start menu keep disappearing

After I turn on, it all settles down, then at various points, usually either
when I turn on Explorer or Messenger, I loose the taskbar, desktop and start
menu and cant get them back. Sometimes though it happens almost as soon as
everything first appears but I have found that the longer I dont do any
actions, the longer it lasts when I start using it.
Im about to throw the computer out the window, but im not technically minded
so maybe its something simple.

I also signed up with Norton not long before this trouble all happened but
this was after some virus that has been removed got in through messenger -
could this be related?

Any help appreciated!

Jeff
Fri Mar 28 17:21:17 PDT 2008


"StuUK" <StuUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:68AECD5D-ECA8-4A17-B77D-9DEA8385C085@microsoft.com...
> After I turn on, it all settles down, then at various points, usually
> either
> when I turn on Explorer or Messenger, I loose the taskbar, desktop and
> start
> menu and cant get them back. Sometimes though it happens almost as soon as
> everything first appears but I have found that the longer I dont do any
> actions, the longer it lasts when I start using it.
> Im about to throw the computer out the window, but im not technically
> minded
> so maybe its something simple.
>

It doesn't take a technology literate person to open a window.

<sorry, I couldn't resist>

Right Click on the Taskbar, then chose Properties, and deselect Auto Hide.
If the taskbar is auto-hidiing, you should be able to get it back by taking
the mouse to the bottom of the screen -- or to the side of the screen where
the taskbar normally resides. (You can grab the taskbar and drag it to any
side of the screen, left, right, top, or bottom.)

Once you get the Taskbar where you want it and drag the dividers where you
want them, and set the size of where you like it, you should Right Click and
select Lock Taskbar. This will preserve the taskbar where and how you want
it.

I doubt Norton is your problem ...

pro-testor
Fri Mar 28 17:26:15 PDT 2008

StuUK wrote:
> After I turn on, it all settles down, then at various points, usually either
> when I turn on Explorer or Messenger, I loose the taskbar, desktop and start
> menu and cant get them back. Sometimes though it happens almost as soon as
> everything first appears but I have found that the longer I dont do any
> actions, the longer it lasts when I start using it.
> Im about to throw the computer out the window, but im not technically minded
> so maybe its something simple.
>
> I also signed up with Norton not long before this trouble all happened but
> this was after some virus that has been removed got in through messenger -
> could this be related?
>
> Any help appreciated!

from another poster:
Disable all non essential WINDOWS explorer add ons (shell extensions)
with Nirsoft shellexview (right click run as administrator to do this)
(see download on the bottom of page)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

disable ONLY the stuff highlighted in PINK and only if you are
sure you dont need them

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

StuUK
Fri Mar 28 17:38:01 PDT 2008

Its not hidden thats for sure, plus it wouldnt hide the desktop icons aswell
would it?

"Jeff Strickland" wrote:

>
> "StuUK" <StuUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:68AECD5D-ECA8-4A17-B77D-9DEA8385C085@microsoft.com...
> > After I turn on, it all settles down, then at various points, usually
> > either
> > when I turn on Explorer or Messenger, I loose the taskbar, desktop and
> > start
> > menu and cant get them back. Sometimes though it happens almost as soon as
> > everything first appears but I have found that the longer I dont do any
> > actions, the longer it lasts when I start using it.
> > Im about to throw the computer out the window, but im not technically
> > minded
> > so maybe its something simple.
> >
>
> It doesn't take a technology literate person to open a window.
>
> <sorry, I couldn't resist>
>
> Right Click on the Taskbar, then chose Properties, and deselect Auto Hide.
> If the taskbar is auto-hidiing, you should be able to get it back by taking
> the mouse to the bottom of the screen -- or to the side of the screen where
> the taskbar normally resides. (You can grab the taskbar and drag it to any
> side of the screen, left, right, top, or bottom.)
>
> Once you get the Taskbar where you want it and drag the dividers where you
> want them, and set the size of where you like it, you should Right Click and
> select Lock Taskbar. This will preserve the taskbar where and how you want
> it.
>
> I doubt Norton is your problem ...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Jeff
Fri Mar 28 18:44:50 PDT 2008

You're right, the taskbar going into hiding would not affect the desktop
icons.




"StuUK" <StuUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A74C0437-63C1-4614-8A97-162BBCFC9CA9@microsoft.com...
> Its not hidden thats for sure, plus it wouldnt hide the desktop icons
> aswell
> would it?
>
> "Jeff Strickland" wrote:
>
>>
>> "StuUK" <StuUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:68AECD5D-ECA8-4A17-B77D-9DEA8385C085@microsoft.com...
>> > After I turn on, it all settles down, then at various points, usually
>> > either
>> > when I turn on Explorer or Messenger, I loose the taskbar, desktop and
>> > start
>> > menu and cant get them back. Sometimes though it happens almost as soon
>> > as
>> > everything first appears but I have found that the longer I dont do any
>> > actions, the longer it lasts when I start using it.
>> > Im about to throw the computer out the window, but im not technically
>> > minded
>> > so maybe its something simple.
>> >
>>
>> It doesn't take a technology literate person to open a window.
>>
>> <sorry, I couldn't resist>
>>
>> Right Click on the Taskbar, then chose Properties, and deselect Auto
>> Hide.
>> If the taskbar is auto-hidiing, you should be able to get it back by
>> taking
>> the mouse to the bottom of the screen -- or to the side of the screen
>> where
>> the taskbar normally resides. (You can grab the taskbar and drag it to
>> any
>> side of the screen, left, right, top, or bottom.)
>>
>> Once you get the Taskbar where you want it and drag the dividers where
>> you
>> want them, and set the size of where you like it, you should Right Click
>> and
>> select Lock Taskbar. This will preserve the taskbar where and how you
>> want
>> it.
>>
>> I doubt Norton is your problem ...
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

Charles
Fri Mar 28 19:06:48 PDT 2008

Based on your sequence of events, I would download the free AVG or AVAST
anti-virus programs. Uninstall Norton, all of it! Then install AVG or AVAST.
http://free.grisoft.com
http://www.avast.com

If your problem is gone (I'll bet it is) call Norton and get your money
back. You may also have to contact your Credit Card company to stop payment.
"StuUK" <StuUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:68AECD5D-ECA8-4A17-B77D-9DEA8385C085@microsoft.com...
> After I turn on, it all settles down, then at various points, usually
> either
> when I turn on Explorer or Messenger, I loose the taskbar, desktop and
> start
> menu and cant get them back. Sometimes though it happens almost as soon as
> everything first appears but I have found that the longer I dont do any
> actions, the longer it lasts when I start using it.
> Im about to throw the computer out the window, but im not technically
> minded
> so maybe its something simple.
>
> I also signed up with Norton not long before this trouble all happened but
> this was after some virus that has been removed got in through messenger -
> could this be related?
>
> Any help appreciated!

StuUK
Sat Mar 29 16:43:00 PDT 2008

I solved it by restoring the settings from a week ago but still no clue as to
what was causing it as the restore failed the first time but took ok the
second time.
Im now faced with Norton digging its heals in and refusing to uninstall.
What fun.

davidjchuang
Sat Mar 29 23:32:54 PDT 2008


StuUK;666435 Wrote:
> I solved it by restoring the settings from a week ago but still no clu
> as t
> what was causing it as the restore failed the first time but took o
> th
> second time
> Im now faced with Norton digging its heals in and refusing t
> uninstall
> What fun

Hi, Stu. Regarding uninstalling Norton, have you tried right click o
Norton and click Run As Administrator ? If that doesn't work, go t
Brink's Tutorials. He has one called " Enable/disable Real Built-i
Administrator ", and one called " Take Ownership of File/folder ". On
of them will work, guarantee. If you have trouble following th
procedures, just post the problem(s) and Brink will respond. Pleas
inform of your progress. Good luck
PS. the first tutorial is under 'account', the other one I think i
under "enable

--
davidjchuang