Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: bullwinkle on July 01, 2013, 09:00:24 PM
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I don't know what happened, but someone messed around with my PC.
I now have a blue bar about 1/5 of the screen wide on the left hand side. My icons have been pushed over to the right.
The bar has on it Folder Tasks Other Places and Details with options under each.
How can I get rid of it?
Windows XP sp3
Thanks
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Drag the bar. It will snap in place.
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The bar doesn't drag. I do have a task bar as well. The bar on the left side is 1/5 as wide as the screen.
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Right click on the taskbar, go onto Toolbars, and untick whatever is there. It sounds as if someone accidentally dragged a folder there and Windows has made a toolbar for it.
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Did that. Nothing is ticked. This side bar also displays whatever program I execute. Maybe that will help in deciding exactly just what it is.
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bullwinkle, you have to drag it.
Pull hard, if it slips, get a better grip.
Make sure you have a sharp mouse pointer. Try jabbing in in different places. Yank on it with the mouse pointer. Keep trying. It took me almost a day to figure how to grasp it. You just have to keep at nit until is pops of the edge. As mentioned earlier, the task bar must be unlocked.
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Could you provide a screenshot? It might help determine what it is.
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BC, this is what happens to me when mine tanbark wanders off.
(http://geek9pm.com/CH/simple-problem.jpg)
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What is a tanbark? I swear to you - if you don't start spell checking I'm going to delete your posts.
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I am familiar with clicking and dragging this to the taskbar but there is no response. And the task bar is unlocked.
I would be happy to give you a screenshot if you tell me how to do it.
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How to post screenshots or images (http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,61232.0.html)
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What is a tanbark? I swear to you - if you don't start spell checking I'm going to delete your posts.
Allan, the spell checker calls it that hat name. What else can I co?
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Allan, the spell checker calls it that hat name. What else can I co?
Stop posting.
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I think I performed the procedure correctly. At any rate this is the URL (I hope):
http://imageshack.us/content_round.php?page=done&l=img854/7661/gtbr.jpg
If that doesn't work, let me know.
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The screenshot turned out fine, very helpful, thank you.
Here you go - http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_commtask_desktop.htm
Follow the instructions there, that will resolve the issue.
It's an odd one, and not meant to happen as far as I'm aware, at least I don't know of a way to actually cause that by changing a setting.
Hope this helps!
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Allan, the spell checker calls it that hat name. What else can I co?
Geek, just read your quote here. You need to edit your posts so they make sense - especially when you are offering assistance to someone. We don't want you to stop posting, but we do want your posts to make sense. In addition to spell check, just re-read and edit your own posts. Thank you.
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I downloaded the zip file but now I'm having other problems. Windows Explorer doesn't work. I did a search for explorer.exe and found only a .pf file in prefetch and of course, the dormant icon on the desktop. Seeking Windows Help from the Start option doesn't work either, so I had to find the helpctr.exe file and move it to the desktop. I don't know why things are out of place. Of course, this is a rebuilt PC that my wife bought for $250 from a PC repairman.
I couldn't move the downloaded zip file to the desktop either. My only right click options are Remove From History, Open Containing Folder (doesn't work), Copy Download Link, and Clear Downloads.
I don't have a Windows CD for this system but I do for another PC. Perhaps I can copy over explorer.exe from that?
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My I suggest two things:
One, boot in Safe mode and log in as the real administrator. The account called 'administrator', not you user account.
Two, make a new account with administrator level. Then log into that account and see how things look. It is possible that the user account data has been corrupted. The cause of this is not known, but the subject does come up in the Microsoft knowledge base and on many forums.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile
Here is one for XP
http://www.ehow.com/how_5804248_fix-user-account-windows-xp.html
That might help.
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There are no separate sign-ons to this PC. There is only one, which is automatic upon bootup.
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I downloaded the zip file but now I'm having other problems. Windows Explorer doesn't work.
If you have a Taskbar/ Start Menu, you have Explorer- they are the same application. How exactly does it not work?
I did a search for explorer.exe and found only a .pf file in prefetch
explorer.exe would be in C:\Windows\.
Seeking Windows Help from the Start option doesn't work either
Doesn't work is sorta vague; does it simply not start? Do bats come out of your floppy drive? Details are important :)
I couldn't move the downloaded zip file to the desktop either. My only right click options are Remove From History, Open Containing Folder (doesn't work), Copy Download Link, and Clear Downloads.
That sounds like the firefox Downloads window Right-click menu. How does "Open Containing Folder" Not work?
Perhaps I can copy over explorer.exe from that?
You already have Explorer. What makes you think you don't? FWIW Explorer is used for the Taskbar, and is also used for the very Search feature that you used to try to find it. It probably wasn't found because by default the contents of System Folders are hidden and will not be shown.
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OK, when I hit Start and then go to Help and Support, it says it cannot find the helpctr.exe file. I found it in a search, and so put it on the desktop, so that's no longer a problem.
Regarding Windows Explorer, I had a shortcut for it on the desktop that worked. But now it does not. A search for explorer.exe yields nothing (just that .pf file and the desktop icon).
If explorer.exe is in the Windows directory, I can't get to it if Windows explorer does not work. So I just tried to get to the command prompt (I know DOS) but that doesn't work either. No error, just nothing happens. (Start-->All Programs-->Accessories-->Command Prompt)
So this "simple problem" is turning out to be a "giant nightmare"!
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Windows Key+R and cmd should launch command prompt.
Windows Key+E should launch Windows Explorer.
If neither of those work, you can try using the Windows Key +R Approach, and enter the full path of "C:\Windows\Explorer.exe"
If the first two don't work but you seem to be able to access them using the direct method, I suspect that your PATH environment has been corrupted or has become too long. I had this happen myself before, and it results in similar issues where things can't be found. To fix this:
1.Press the Windows Key+Break.
System Properties should appear. Choose the Advanced Tab, and then click the "Environment Variables" button.
In the upper list box, delete any 'Path' variable. The only items usually present for user environment variables are TEMP and TMP variable in a default install.
In the lower listbox, find the Path variable. Chances are it might be very long. The default for that setting is:
%SystemRoot%System32\;%SystemRoot%\;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem
Try sticking that in there. and see if some of your issues magically disappear.
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I am confused on the Windows+R+cmd line. What key is cmd? Just doing Windows/R gave me the run screen, but I can get that with Start/Run.
I did so and put in the C:\windows line. I found two explorer files, explorer application (exe 1,010kb) which showed that it was on the desktop and explorer command (only 1kb). Executing either one didn't work.
I hit Windows+E and nothing happened.
I hit the Windows+Break and got the properties screen you mentioned. I substituted the path you provided for PATH in the lower box. No change in the problem.
I didn't know what I was supposed to do with the upper box, which gave paths for TEMP and TMP as you described. Should I have deleted these?
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Some information about the Windows Key
Windows key - Computer Hope Help (http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/winkey.htm)
Alternatively referred to as the winkey, the Windows key is a keyboard key commonly found on IBM compatible computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. The Windows key has the Microsoft flag logo on it and is located between the CTRL and ALT keys on the keyboard. This key allows a user to perform commonly performed tasks using the Windows key in combination with another key. For example, pressing the Windows key + E (meaning both at the same time) would open the Windows Explorer.
Example: Win+R CMD
Hold the Win key and the letter R, release, then type in CMD and hit enter.
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Thanks, the windowsR - cmd line got me to the command prompt.
However without Explorer working I cannot work with the downloaded file. I brought it to the desktop and tried to extract it from there. It gave me an error, "could not find C:\documents".
It seems that not having a functioning windows explorer is more critical than this silly blue bar on my desktop. I think I need to get that working first.
Are you sure I can't download it from another Windows XP CD or from MS online?
One other (minor) point that may speak to a bigger problem: I cannot execute any application through an icon by double clicking on the desktop, I always have to right click and select Open. That's weird too.
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Again, please try to boot in safe mode.
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/safemode.htm
Safe mode will give you the option to log in as the real administrator. The desktop of the real administrator should be stable and allow global changes to the system.
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OK, but after I sign on in safe mode and sign on as administrator, what do I do then?
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All right, I signed on in Safe Mode as the administrator.
The blue border disappeared and the icons were at the lowest resolution. I couldn't change the resolution.
Also the other Start options worked...Printers and Faxes, Control Panel, etc. They do not normally work.
OK, now what do I do?
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I'm starting to think the Topic title is inaccurate...
Repair Install of XP... (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm)
Done properly all your data and apps will be intact...
1 blunder however all your stuff will be gone but you will have a fresh XP install.
So i suggest reading it thru before starting and print out a reference copy...
Best of Luck.