Computer Help Needed-minimized Windows

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I'm here asking for help again. DIS folks are so smart!

I don't know what I did but I must have hit something on the computer because now when I minimize a window, it doesn't show up on the task bar. It is just gone somewhere into Cyberspace Never Never Land. I have looked up Help for Windows and that doesn't help me. I have re-booted without any luck also.

Anyone have any ideas of what I can do so I can minimize a Window and have it appear on the task bar while I open another Window?

I know this sounds confusing so if I am not making any sense, just let me know and I'll try to explain it better.

Thanks so much!

Elise

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

First question and probably *way* too obvious, but you are clicking the minmize button, I assume... the little _ one, not the x. Ok, as I said, very obvious and chances are your solution probably can't be that simple, but I had to try.

Secondly, is your task bar even showing up at the bottom, or is it hidden? Can you see a thin bar at the bottom of the screen? If not, then try grabbing at the bottom of the screen and stretching it back up.

Those are my two simple solutions. If it's something more complex, hopefully someone else can help!

 

[helenabear]

The other thing you might not have set up are one of two things.

First you can make that bar at the bottom hide, I do that. If you right click on the bar when it is showing, click on properties. Then you will see some options. If it hides you might either have "Always on top" unchecked. Or you could have "Auto Hide" checked. Always on top will make sure that you can see it even if another window is up. If you don't have that checked it will disappear when another window is maximized. If you have "Auto Hide" checked, you will see the bar disappear until you bring your cursor down to the bottom. I hope between Lynne & I you get it figured out If not let us know and I have a few more things you can check but not worth going into unless I know those are okay

 

[Dan Murphy]

What they said, Elise

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

Helenabear and #1 Disney fan,

Thanks for the ideas but none worked. Ugh! Always on top is checked and Autohide is unchecked when I right click on the task bar and go to properties. I have the task bar showing. (That is the one with "Start" in the left corner, right?)

I am so frustrated with this. I'm sure it is something simple but I just can't figure it out.

Thanks SO MUCH for your ideas. Any others?

Elise

 

[WillyJ]

Try using the button on the right of your screen to scroll all the way down. . sometimes they'll go way to the bottom of the screen and you have to do that to see them. .

 

[jfulcer]

Sorry, you may have put this in another thread before...

What version of windows? Is it just one program that this is happening to, or all of them?

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

I have Windows 98. None of the programs show up when I minimize them. My kids like to have AOL Instant Message on while they are on the internet sot hey will minimize one while "working" in the other. Also I can't minimize Word and then use the internet. Actually I can minimize a program but since it doesn't show up on the task bar, I can't get back to it.

Isn't this confusing???

Thanks to all for you help and ideas.

Elise

 

[helenabear]

Elise, I did some digging and found out something.

Do they disappear ONLY after you minimize the applications?

If so, you may have had a common virus. Go to "Control Panel" then "Add/Remove Programs" and look for a "WinSrv Reg" entry. If you find it then Remove/uninstall it, reboot and everything should be back to normal.

You can read about this virus at http://www.symantec.com. Search for "WinSrv Reg" and you might still be able to find something.

I'll keep digging to see if I can find something else. I do hope this helps!!!

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

Elaine,

You are my Hero!!! I went to the Control Panel and add/remove programs and sure enough WinSrvReg was there so I removed it and rebooted and I now have minimized windows on my task bar.

THANK-YOU SO MUCH!!!!

I'd give you my first born but she is a handful (haha) so instead I will give you lots of thank-yous and lots of gratitude!

Elise

 

[helenabear]

Elise, I am so very very glad that was it! I admit that I had to do some digging to find out that one since honestly I hadn't even known of this virus or that it could do that. I will say though that if I ever hear of this again, now I will know

Oh and the link above had a typo... it should be http://www.symantec.com No period at the end

Again just glad to have helped!

Elaine

 

[Dan Murphy]

She's good, isn't she, Elise??? Glad it is fixed now!!!

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

Dan, you're right. She is the best!

I have to tell a funny story about this. I read Elaine's solution last night and fixed the computer after my kids had gone to bed. This morning my 11 year old son got on the computer and said, "Mom, I fixed the computer." I said, "No, I fixed it last night after getting help from the DIS." He thought he was going to be the hero when Elaine is my hero. I just had to laugh at my son. He is one to take credit when none is due. (haha)

Again, THANKS!

Elise

 

[nativetxn]

LOL, CBMom, kids! My son was like that too.

Elaine, I'm so impressed with your computer expertise. I'm so computer inept.

 

[helenabear]

You guys are too much! Seriously trying to fix things on computers is a hobby of mine and I love to do it and love it when the problems can be solved!

Elise, that is a great story! Too funny that he was trying to take credit for fixing it, especially when you fixed it yourself (I just gave some help on possibly how). I think I would have laughed too!