How do you get icons on the task bar

[Echo]

 I run windows xp and for some reason my task bar went crazy. It doubled in size and in order to get it back to its original size i had to un-tick "quick launch". But with quick launch un ticked i can not put the icons i need on the task bar. How can i keep the task bar small (normal size) and still have my icons there?

[Deerpark]

You will need quick launch in order to have icons on your taskbar.
Try enabling quick launch again.
Then right click the taskbar and deselect "Lock the Taskbar".
Move the mouse cursor to the top edge of the taskbar and the cursor should change.
Hold down the left mouse button and pull the mouse down.
If this worked you can lock the taskbar again.