I'm fairly new to using windows, but I've learned quite a bit. For the last 4
days now my computer which is running Windows XP media center edition SP2 has
been having problems with the task bar. Usually when you open an application
or window, there is a bar that also appears in the taksbar in the form of a
rectangle with the name of the application, thus allowing quick changing
between them. My problem is that this no longer happens. I find it really
hard to get things done and I have no idea why it's happening or how it can
be fixed. Any input would be much appreciated.

Teh MP wrote:[color=blue]
> I'm fairly new to using windows, but I've learned quite a bit. For the last 4
> days now my computer which is running Windows XP media center edition SP2 has
> been having problems with the task bar. Usually when you open an application
> or window, there is a bar that also appears in the taksbar in the form of a
> rectangle with the name of the application, thus allowing quick changing
> between them. My problem is that this no longer happens. I find it really
> hard to get things done and I have no idea why it's happening or how it can
> be fixed. Any input would be much appreciated.[/color]

Do you see the taskbar at all or do you have no taskbar showing?

If the latter, there is a setting on the taskbar called "auto hide"
which causes the taskbar to retract off-screen when there is no activity
involving the bar, e.g. no cursor on the bar. If this is the case, you
can move your mouse right to the bottom of the screen and it should come
up, you can then right click, go to properties and untick the auto-hide
if youdo not want it to keep disappearing. You may also find your
taskbar has been moved to the side or top of the screen which can also
happen - if you don't want it to be moved you can right click and 'lock
the taskbar'

I generally find it quicker and easier to Alt+tab (or if you're using
vista aero, windows key+tab) between windows.

If you do have your taskbar but still no programs listed, it may be the
programs you are running are configured not to show up in the task bar -
which programs are you having trouble with?

P.

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

"Paul Lambert" wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Do you see the taskbar at all or do you have no taskbar showing?
>
> If the latter, there is a setting on the taskbar called "auto hide"
> which causes the taskbar to retract off-screen when there is no activity
> involving the bar, e.g. no cursor on the bar. If this is the case, you
> can move your mouse right to the bottom of the screen and it should come
> up, you can then right click, go to properties and untick the auto-hide
> if youdo not want it to keep disappearing. You may also find your
> taskbar has been moved to the side or top of the screen which can also
> happen - if you don't want it to be moved you can right click and 'lock
> the taskbar'
>
> I generally find it quicker and easier to Alt+tab (or if you're using
> vista aero, windows key+tab) between windows.
>
> If you do have your taskbar but still no programs listed, it may be the
> programs you are running are configured not to show up in the task bar -
> which programs are you having trouble with?
>
> P.
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]
>[/color]

I do have the task bar showing and I've had it on auto hide for a while now.
All my programs run fine with the exception that they don't show up in the
task bar. I'm hoping I can solve this, but I will give the Alt+tab a try.
Thanks.