After start up, the taskbar disappears

[tekjock]

After one of my users starts up his laptop the taskbar shows, then after about one minute the taskbar disappears and you can not click any of the desktop icons.

The task bar is DEFINITELY not hidden, it is NOT dragged out of view,

The only ways I have seen to temporary resolve this is to

1. Restart the computer (takes a 1 or 2 restarts)
2. Hit Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch the Task manager, Kill Explorer.exe, then launch Explorer.exe.

Any thoughts on a way to fix this.

thanks

 

[linney]

Does it happen for any other user logged on to the machine?

Does it happen in Safe Mode?

If not try isolating a third party cause.

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (this will run it in a Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, restart it by ticking both boxes, and rerun it to allow it to attempt to fix any found problems.

I see lots of recommendations here for programs like -

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SuperAntispyware

http://superantispyware.com/

Are there any updated Video Card drivers available?

See if this tool is of any use.

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm