Help! computer: lost taskbar

[Okey Dokey]

I am on XP The taskbar & Start Button on the bottom of my screen were present this morning at startup. After changing my background picture, the taskbar has disappered. I checked in my Computer and the Hide Taskbar bit is NOT selected.

When I am in internet explorer or outlook, the space where my taskbar used to be, is showing the bottom of my new background picture.

Can anyone advise me what I can do? I don't even know how to safely restart/turn off my computer without my start button.

[Bald Eagle]

Go for a ride on your bike ( three finger salute is required )

[Okey Dokey]

Cheers, but the problem will still be here when I get back!

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

When you push the windows key on the keyboard, what happens... you have accidently switched it to auto hide, or something

[onearmedbandit]

CTRL ALT DEL will bring up task manager, which will allow you to shut down your computer.

[Ronin]

I am on XP The taskbar & Start Button on the bottom of my screen were present this morning at startup. After changing my background picture, the taskbar has disappered. I checked in my Computer and the Hide Taskbar bit is NOT selected.

When I am in internet explorer or outlook, the space whwere my taskbar used to be, is showing the bottom of my new background picture.

Can anyone advise me what I can do? I don't even know how to safely restart/turn off my computer without my start button.

If you hold ctrl and press esc you will at least get your program menu to see. Try taking the mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen then click and hold while you drag the mouse back up. You may have shifted it by mistake. Try restarting your machine either using menus or just press the on/off button. That will doa safe shut down and you can then restart and see if it has come right... You may be surprised. Failing that PM me

[Okey Dokey]

When you push the windows key on the keyboard, what happens... you have accidently switched it to auto hide, or something

When I do that I can see the menu that normally appears when I click my start button! Thank you, at least I can do a turn off/ restart now

[Okey Dokey]

CTRL ALT DEL will bring up task manager, which will allow you to shut down your computer.

Thanks for your response. I thought the cntrl/alt/delete thing was a risky thing to do to a computer. I am a self-taught keyboard fumbler, and am always worried I am going to break something!

[Okey Dokey]

If you hold ctrl and press esc you will at least get your program menu to see. Try taking the mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen then click and hold while you drag the mouse back up. You may have shifted it by mistake. Try restarting your machine either using menus or just press the on/off button. That will doa safe shut down and you can then restart and see if it has come right... You may be surprised. Failing that PM me

Thanks to you, too. the mouse and drag did not do anything. Your other tip is great- thank you- it took me a minute to FIND the escape button ( I am not kidding)

I will try a restart and hope it resolves the issue.

[onearmedbandit]

Thanks for your response. I thought the cntrl/alt/delete thing was a risky thing to do to a computer. I am a self-taught keyboard fumbler, and am always worried I am going to break something!

Actually it's a very useful tool. You can't do any harm there as such, as it only really reports what's happening. However it does allow you to close down applications that have locked or crashed individually either through the 'Applications' or 'Processes' tabs, instead of having to restart your computer.

[MSTRS:Me]

Something similar has happened to me, some time ago. If I remember right, I put the cursor at the very top of the screen and double clicked the left mouse...

[p.dath]

Why don't you try changing your background back again, and see if that changes the problem.

[Okey Dokey]

I'm back...and so is my toolbar!!! The restart sorted it out. Many thanks to all of you for your kindness in helping me out- blings sent

[Okey Dokey]

Why don't you try changing your background back again, and see if that changes the problem.

Great minds and all that- I did but it didn't help. Cheers; all sorted now!

[EJK]

Thanks for your response. I thought the cntrl/alt/delete thing was a risky thing to do to a computer. I am a self-taught keyboard fumbler, and am always worried I am going to break something!

Honestly, like onearmedbandit said, it's the best thing Microsoft has ever invented.