Start button and System tray icon problem

[Newsscanner]

Hi everyone,
I use Windows XP Media center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2.

I have two problems, but I assume they are related:

a) My System Tray does not display all the icons that should be there, I
tried to disable UPnP, and that worked for a while, but not anymore.
I have also done Spyware and virus scans, all to no avail.
The only solution that works for me is to log off Windows and to log on
again, as I said, this does the job, but it is of course very annoying and
time consuming having to do that all the time.

b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my system
tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response, however,
my PC is not frozen, and the Start button does respond to the Windows key.
Also, at the same time I have the problem as described in point a.
My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop the explorer
process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer again via the Task
Manager.
This restores the use of my Start button, but does not bring the missing
icons back.

Is there anyone whop could help me sort this problem out, as it is extremely
annoying having to go through this constantly.

many thanks in advance,
Newsscanner.

 

[Vinod Chandramouli]

newsscanner ,

couple of questions.

1) have you tried in safemode ? does the same thing happen there
2) try doing a clean boot by following this article.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

3) what happens when you create a new user account ? do you still have
the same problem ??

let me know the answers to these questions.

vinod chandramouli
http://169254.blogspot.com

 

[M.I.5¾]

"Newsscanner" <Newsscanner@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news59B3358-E7BC-4B17-9C81-F21C7559B32F@microsoft.com...
> Hi everyone,
> I use Windows XP Media center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2.
>
> I have two problems, but I assume they are related:
>
> a) My System Tray does not display all the icons that should be there, I
> tried to disable UPnP, and that worked for a while, but not anymore.
> I have also done Spyware and virus scans, all to no avail.
> The only solution that works for me is to log off Windows and to log on
> again, as I said, this does the job, but it is of course very annoying and
> time consuming having to do that all the time.
>

Windows explorer is crashing. This causes Windows Explorer to restart and
when it does so, not all the processes start up again (hence the mising
icons). As you note, logging off and on again performs a full acount
restart.

> b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my
> system
> tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response,
> however,
> my PC is not frozen, and the Start button does respond to the Windows key.
> Also, at the same time I have the problem as described in point a.
> My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop the explorer
> process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer again via the Task
> Manager.
> This restores the use of my Start button, but does not bring the missing
> icons back.
>

Is your mouse a USB mouse perchance? If so, then the explorer crash is not
restarting your USB mouse service.

As for a cure? Unless someone comes up with a better idea, you could try a
repair install of Windows.

When I had this problem (and a few others), the only way I managed to
resolve it was with a full rebuild of Windows.

 

[Elmo]

Newsscanner wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> I use Windows XP Media center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2.
>
> I have two problems, but I assume they are related:
>
> a) My System Tray does not display all the icons that should be there, I
> tried to disable UPnP, and that worked for a while, but not anymore.
> I have also done Spyware and virus scans, all to no avail.
> The only solution that works for me is to log off Windows and to log on
> again, as I said, this does the job, but it is of course very annoying and
> time consuming having to do that all the time.
>
> b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my system
> tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response, however,
> my PC is not frozen, and the Start button does respond to the Windows key.
> Also, at the same time I have the problem as described in point a.
> My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop the explorer
> process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer again via the Task
> Manager.
> This restores the use of my Start button, but does not bring the missing
> icons back.
>
> Is there anyone whop could help me sort this problem out, as it is extremely
> annoying having to go through this constantly.
>
> many thanks in advance,
> Newsscanner.

Click Start, Run, type SFC /SCANNOW, click OK. If any files are damaged
or missing, they'll be replaced. You may need to reboot afterwards so
damaged files will be replaced.

Line 117. Restore Taskbar and Start Menu
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

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

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

--
Joe =o)

 

[stormadvisor]

Elmo;449247 Wrote:
> Newsscanner wrote:
>
> > b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my
> system.......My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop
> the explorer process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer
> again via the Task Manager.
> > This restores the use of my Start button,
> > tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response,
>
> many thanks in advance,
> > Newsscanner.
>
> Click Start, Run, type SFC /SCANNOW, click OK. If any files are
> damaged
> or missing, they'll be replaced. You may need to reboot afterwards so
>
> damaged files will be replaced.
>
> Joe =o)

Question......How can he do this if he can not use his start button?
The reason I ask is my boss is having the same issue. The 3 finger
salute procedure does not get it back.

Thanks

 

[Elmo]

stormadvisor wrote:
> Elmo;449247 Wrote:
>> Newsscanner wrote:
>>
>>> b) When I try to click on my start button, or on the arrow next to my
>> system...... My only solution here is to hit CTRL-ALT-Delete and stop
>> the explorer process in the Task Manager, and then start up explorer
>> again via the Task Manager.
>>> This restores the use of my Start button,
>>> tray icons (the one that shows hidden icons), there is no response,
>> many thanks in advance,
>>> Newsscanner.
>> Click Start, Run, type SFC /SCANNOW, click OK. If any files are
>> damaged
>> or missing, they'll be replaced. You may need to reboot afterwards so
>>
>> damaged files will be replaced.
>>
>> Joe =o)
>
> Question..... How can he do this if he can not use his start button?
> The reason I ask is my boss is having the same issue. The 3 finger
> salute procedure does not get it back.
>
> Thanks

He could get the Start button working after the C-A-D.. He also sees
the Start button. ".. does not get it back" suggests your boss has the
problem where, basically, it'll take a reinstall of XP to get the Start
menu and Taskbar back. If Ctrl/Esc also doesn't get the Start Menu, try
booting to Safe Mode and see if it works there.

These will work if the boss can get to them. One way to start programs
such as Iexplore.exe (Internet Explorer), press C-A-D and click File,
New Task (Run), type the name of the program.

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

Line 117. Restore Taskbar and Start Menu
Line 164. Restore Taskbar and Desktop to Default Functionality
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318027
___________________________________________________
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_____________________________________

If these suggestions presented more questions than answers, please post
again.

--
Joe =o)