My Taskbar is not working

[broken1]

I'm using Windows XP, Virus guard up to date and today I turned on my computer...the quick launch tool-bar is showing 6 icons instead of the normal 3 I set it to, can't reduce it (even when unlocking the toolbar) and I have no "tiles" or "windows" minimized in my toolbar.

The only way to switch windows now is to alt tab them.

What the hell is wrong?

Here's a screen shot so you can see. I've got a Firefox Window in the foreground, an IE window in the background, windows messenger logged on with 2 conversations and as you can my see my task is empty.

(Link fixed)

How do I fix it?

 

[Random717]

the link is for the thumbnail pic...

 

[Random717]

try extend your taskbar so its twice its current height.. the missing part might have slid to one corner, changing the height would give it a row to itself (maybe )

 

[broken1]

Tried that, doesn't work. I've tried unlocking it and moving everything around.

If I deselect the quicklaunch toolbar, the whole taskbar "hides".

 

[Random717]

maybe this can help?
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[krycor]

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showpost.php?p=925228&postcount=3

uhm thats exactly what use to happen to me, couldn't see the open windows in my task bar.. but just make sure its not firefox tho cause i notice firefox sometimes does that. Choose the task bar missing/grey'd out option, should fix it up, remember to log off after using app.

 

[broken1]

You guys are great!

Fixed it!

What caused it? Virus or just programming error of some sort?

 

[krycor]

possibly crashed pc or explorer as someone mentioned in the other thread. I know mine did that when it crashed and did it every time i crashed machine/restarted it with button. Eventually I just re-installed, machine O/S was like 4+ yrs old already

 

[Random717]

lol i damn well googled for 15 minutes to find something already posted on this forum 2 days ago...