Task Bar Not Displaying Anything and another misc...

Hi, hope y'all can help.

My Task bar is messed up, first, the areas behind the icons in the "Quick Launch" and another task area I have turned black. Then today the task bar quit showing tasks, not even minimized. When I use Cont/Alt/Delete, I see they are running, but I have no way to get to them.

What have I been doing?

I recently (less than 1 week) reformatted and reinstalled Win98, have been trying to get the files from another HD onto this one, I have plugged in the "other" HD in the place of my working slave HD but it refuses to be recognized. I had "just" installed Easy CD Creator 5, all 221MB worth, helluva program. Happened right after that.

On another note, about the transfering of these files, there's about 140MB I need from the drive. I have a cable modem, and am giving up on getting the drive to recognize the HD, I have the blue cable from the cable company, can I just use that from nic to nic? If so, how do I "find" the other computer? DO I set up file sharing? On Both? I'm lost.

This, is the WEIRDEST thing I have ever seen.

I have a shell extention for editing the registry, it allows you to copy and paste keys, neat stuff. So I go to RUN, enter the regedit command, and it opens.

It's EMPTY. I poke around, it appeared it was connected to another computer, it gave me an option to disconnect, I said "Hell-ya!", and did so. Right after that, my task bar came back but regedit locked up.

I restarted. Task bar is gone again. not gone, it's there in the middle, but all the running stuff is not there..

Now, I have been playing around with the network settings trying to find the other computer that is right behind me., I do have Jammer, and Tauscan, but this is a bit disconcerting.

So after the restart, I run regedit, still no registry, it's almost EMPTY where it usually is:

It has a single line:

a/b - default - value not set

AND, in the status bar it says:

C?Cue not set

What can I do about all this? I'm about ready to slam what I want onto the slave, reformat AGAIN and start over.

[This message has been edited by cyndy10 (edited 07-19-2001).]

The virus scan was clean, I did the one you suggested, and Norton was the first thing installed.

I HAD a trojan, and discovered it by accident, the person figured out I was gathering evidence and gave me a virus that migrated to the BIOS. As a result, I now am using a NEW MOTHERBOARD, NEW PROCESSOR, NEW HARD DRIVE, NEW NIC, NEW SOUND CARD. The ONLY old componets I have is the power supply, video card, and slave drive, I did move some files from it to the NEW HD but have not touched, and there are no exe's, they are only my html files, text files, and graphics.

Here's the Start Up log:

StartUp Log Index

1. HKLM Run
2. HKCU Run
3. HKLM RunOnce
4. HKCU RunOnce
5. HKLM RunServices
6. HKLM RunServicesOnce
7. WIN.INI file
8. SYSTEM.INI file
9. AUTOEXEC.BAT file
10. StartUp folder
11. All Users StartUp
12. Misc. StartUp Configurations

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

The following is a list of your current Start-Ups
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

1. HKLM Run - Registry

[Registry Path]
"Start-Ups"


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"ScanRegistry"="C:\\WINDOWS\\scanregw.exe /autorun"
"TaskMonitor"="C:\\WINDOWS\\taskmon.exe"
"SystemTray"="SysTray.Exe"
"LoadPowerProfile"="Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme"
"NetworkSetup"="C:\\WINDOWS\\DLink.exe"
"Norton Auto-Protect"="C:\\PROGRA~1\\NORTON~1\\NAVAPW32.EXE /LOADQUIET"
"Jammer"="C:\\PROGRA~1\\AGNITUM\\JAMMER~1.0\\Jammer.exe"
"Tau Monitor"="C:\\PROGRAM FILES\\AGNITUM\\TAUSCAN 1.5\\TAUMON.EXE"


==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

2. HKCU Run - Registry

[Registry Path]
"Start-Ups"


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"RegEdit Extensions 1.0 (Beta)"="rundll32.exe regedex.dll,StartExReg"
"Adaware Bootup"="C:\\PROGRAM FILES\\LAVASOFT AD-AWARE\\AD-AWARE.EXE /Auto /Log \"C:\\PROGRAM FILES\\LAVASOFT AD-AWARE\\\""


==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

3. HKLM RunOnce - Registry

[Registry Path]
"Start-Ups"


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]


==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

4. HKCU RunOnce - Registry

[Registry Path]
"Start-Ups"


[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce]


==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

5. HKLM RunServices - Registry

[Registry Path]
"Start-Ups"


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices]
"LoadPowerProfile"="Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme"
"SchedulingAgent"="mstask.exe"


==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

6. HKLM RunServicesOnce - Registry

[Registry Path]
"Start-Ups"


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce]


==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

7. WIN.INI File - (c:\windows\win.ini)

Your win.ini run/load lines should look like run= and load= exclusively.
There should be nothing to the right of the equal signs.


These are the run and load lines in your WIN.INI file

run=

load=

==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

8. SYSTEM.INI File - (c:\windows\system.ini)

Your system.ini shell line should look like shell=Explorer.exe exclusively.
You should only see Explorer.exe following the equal sign.


This is the shell line in your SYSTEM.INI file

shell=Explorer.exe

==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

9. AUTOEXEC.BAT File - (c:\autoexec.bat)

(Some trojans have been known to start from this file)


These are your program startups and set paths in your autoexec.bat file

SET BLASTER=A220 I2 D1 T4
LH C:\WINDOWS\AU10DOS.COM

==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

10. StartUp Folder - (c:\windows\start menu\programs\startup)

Shortcuts to any program will automatically start when placed here.


These are the shortcuts located in your StartUp folder

C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\Norton Program Scheduler.lnk
C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\InControl Desktop Manager.lnk

==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

11. All Users Folder - (c:\windows\all users\start menu\programs\startup)

Shortcuts to any program will automatically start when placed here.


These are the shortcuts located in your All Users StartUp folder


*(No start-ups found)*

==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

12. Miscellaneous StartUp Configurations

-============================-
Registry StartUp Directories
-============================-

Should show the StartUp and All Users StartUp directories

"Startup"="C:\\WINDOWS\\Start Menu\\Programs\\StartUp"
"Common Startup"="C:\\WINDOWS\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\StartUp"

-=======================-
Registry Shell Spawning
-=======================-

Open Commands for Executable File Types

@="\"%1\" %*"
(.exe files - RegPath = HKCR\exefile\shell\open\command)

@="\"%1\" %*"
(.com files - RegPath = HKCR\comfile\shell\open\command)

@="\"%1\" /S"
(.scr files - RegPath = HKCR\scrfile\shell\open\command)

@="\"%1\" %*"
(.bat files - RegPath = HKCR\batfile\shell\open\command)

@="\"%1\" %*"
(.pif files - RegPath = HKCR\piffile\shell\open\command)

@="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\MSHTA.EXE \"%1\" %*"
(.hta files - RegPath = HKCR\htafile\shell\open\command)


-=================-
DOSSTART.BAT File - (c:\windows\dosstart.bat)
-=================-

LH AU10DOS.COM

==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

- Supplemental Environment Information -

TMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
winbootdir=C:\WINDOWS
PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND
COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
windir=C:\WINDOWS

==========================================================================
__________________________________________________________________________

- End -
NOTE: ***There was a bunch of spyware, I removed it and reposted (edited) the above log.

[This message has been edited by cyndy10 (edited 07-19-2001).]

And back to the HD problem, It's a bit weird. I'll try to be clear on all this.

There are 2 machines. On machine 1, there is 9G Master, 850MB slave (not installed, but it does recognize) CDRW Master, and CDR slave.

The OLD reformatted (had trojan) 8G Master is not recognized by this machine OR the other machine, no matter which cable it is hooked up to.

The Master on the 2nd machine 1.75G is recognized on the 1st machine (in the slave slot) but it cancels out the Master 9G drive, so I can't transfer files onto the 9G drive. The 9G drive is not recognized when the 1.75 is in it's slave slot (where the 850 sits)

In the 2nd machine, the 8G is not recognized either (Trojan might have toasted that one?) and the 850MB is recog as is the 1.75, but not at the same time.

I did check the BIOS in machine 1, it was set at AUTO. I even tried having it look for new hardware, then again, I tried to select from the list. I have done this all several times, <B>but jumpers? No. I know nothing about jumpers.</B>

Where are they? What do I do? I follow instructions very well. I have also NEVER failed to have a problem fixed by the wonderful folks at VirtualDr, so fire away.

[This message has been edited by cyndy10 (edited 07-19-2001).]

A shot in the dark, have you tried slavinf the CD-R/CDRW off of the HDD's. In my experience slaving a CD-R off of another similar CD device, doesn't always work well. How about having your main HDD as primary master, CD-R as slave. Secondary Master as CDRW, other HDD as secondary Slave.

Or am I missing the point?

------------------
- Mine's a double.

I have been on the net looking up my jumper info. Here's a link to the 8G HD that will not be recognized by either machine: http://www.westerndigital.com/service/ET/3-5jmp.htm

As MY HD is, there are 6 pins and the jumper is in positions 3+5, upper. This is obviously wrong.

They also say something before that page about auto-detect that might be important:

The Standard Jumper Configuration will work with most Pentium II-class and newer system BIOS' that supports the newer Interrupt 13 Extended Instruction Set. Contact your system integrater or your motherboard reference manual for the capabilities of your system BIOS.

The Alternate Jumper Configuration will work with all motherboard BIOS' that will support 2.1Gb hard drives when LBA or transaltion is enabled. In rare situations, if your system BIOS does not have an LBA Mode option, you can still use the Alternate Jumper Configuration but you will not be able to use the Auto Detect option within the system BIOS.

Give me clear 1,2,3,type instructions and I bet I can get it recognized.

Now I'll go find the info for the 1.75G that I need the files off of. Hopefully someone else will be along to help, Mosiac1 had to sleep...

Here's the info on the 1.75. As it is there are 3 pins, no jumper. It acts fine as a Master if alone, and will not let anything else be recognized if another HD is with it.

From the website: (can't link, it's frames)

The Quantum Sirocco does not require write pre-compensation, your CMOS setting should be set to reflect that this feature is not enabled. If the setting of 'none' is not present, the value 65535 is a number that the BIOS will accept to disable this feature.


Jumper Settings

Single Drive - DS only
Master Drive - DS only
Slave Drive - No Jumpers

WOW!! I ahve been so busy posting the info, I didn't notice anyone helping! Let me read and catch up...

REPLY TO BRUTAL DELUXE:

I was told by my tech, who incidentially had the computer for over a month and <B>I</B> am now doing the job..., that the ribbon cable without the solid red border to face the red wire on the 4 prong power supply connector, was different and it would not work.

The cables to both the CDR's (R and RW) don't have that solid red edge. Does that make a difference? If not, I'll try it.

The final plan is I want two computers, to serve my Website off a slave drive, I have not decided which one to use and need advice for that. I have the 4 HD's, 2 large and 2 small, and the Motherboards are similar, one is 500Mhz, the other 550Mhz. I want the 2nd "slave" drive to house the CABS and back ups of the large programs, maybe even a working installed Windows - besides having them on CD too. I have lost everything more times than fingers and am a back-up freak. I first want to get everything to work, then I may reformat and begin again, totally fresh because of this Task Bar problem.

REPLY TO JOHNKING:

I tried the W/D as it is (3-5) in machine #2, alone, and it is not recognized. And the tech said he tried it in machine #1, same result. Is there some BIOS setting I should double check?

Before I commit to a config, help me determine the best places for the drives based on what I want to do., read above.

I am buying a Lynksys 4 port Router in the next couple days, as soon as all this is settled. I was told that with that, I am "fairly" secure. That it will be the only device recognized by the net. Will I also need to run anti-trojan stuff? AND: I am concerned about the computer serving my website, I want to isolate the html pages, maybe even partition it off from EVERYTHING, how secure will the rest of the system/home network be? ADVICE??

Reply To Johnking:

I thought of that. Even though it would make no sense that one drive would work there and another would not, I have tried all available cables in both computers of that type, on all the drives except the 9G that is running Windows now, I am not going to mess with this one. (YET)

RE: small pip on the header plug, that locates in the HD ribbon cable plug socket...

I do not see what you are talkng about, but I know how to seat chips. ribbon cables, pins, all that, I owned a video game company for 7 years and did most of the installations of new parts and componets. If pin #1 was not in the right slot, the pins on the other end would be bent, this is not the case. I feel confident in saying that I had them connected properly, and they were all the way in..

No, the tech did not check the (W/D 8G) unit to see if it was faulty, it was working when I gave it to him although it did have a Trojan. He had a helluva time getting the drive to reformat, it threw up error after error, finally he decided the virus that I was given had migrated to the BIOS, hence the new Motherboard. It still would not reformat, so he got a new processor. I am uncertain as to the final disposition of this HD, it may not have completed the reformat because I also have the new 9G HD in the Master position of Machine #1, where the W/D 8G used to be.

RE the article: I'll check the BIOS type and look it up, that BIOS has not had a drive over 1.75 so this might be an issue.

It's an AWARD 4.51PG, checking the net now.

Also, back to the Task BAr. I got the Regedit to SHOW the registry (somehow, it just appeared).

Mosiac1 had suggested dumping a line (up top in bold) and rebooting to create a new task bar.

There is no line with a "YELLOW FOLDER" there is a line there saying "default, value not set" and one below it, this is it:

"Settings"=hex:28,00,00,00,ff,ff,ff,ff,06,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,3e,00,00,00,1e,\
00,00,00,fe,ff,ff,ff,e4,02,00,00,02,04,00,00,02,03,00,00

I'd still like to dump it and rebuild the task bar, I had no idea how much I relied on it until it's gone.

I'm confused by that page, I only feel confident telling you the model number, Caviar 22100, there's too much info that I have no experience with.

One thing that is very confusing looking at the case itsels, it CLEARLY states it's Parameters: 4092cyl, 16heads, 63spt and 2111.8MB

Now, this drive has held over 750 MP3's, full length songs... and when plugged in clearly states it is over 8Gigs. The lablel is an original, all tags are untouched.

Could someone tell me why it says that? Isn't 2111.8MB's equal to 2Gigs, 111.8MB's?

I'm back, had been up all night, I had to sleep, I am well rested and ready to tackle this again! ...let me catch up...

1) I removed the spyware with adaware, reran the start up log after that and then edited the post to show the start up log without the spyware. It was sex cookies, double-click, new.net, a few others, stuff from my husband surfing.

I got it about the Registry and did the deed by dumping the yellow folder, then restarted and the Task Bar is unchanged.


3) I think the old Power Supply is fine, it is about 6 months old and had "the" 8Gig HD on it as well as the 850MB slave drive, the ONLY other drive the computer will recognize. Is there any way to get the specs without taking it all apart?

4) I don't think I'll be calling that tech again. I do have a cattle-prod on order... (JK)

5) Correct, I do know what was in it, but until all this I had not "seen the actual componets". I can say that when it was installed and working, I thought it was weird that in the Recycle Bin, it showed it as a 2.1Gig Drive (as it states), but everywhere else it showed it as 8.5Gigs. I believe the 8.5 because it WAS holding the 750 mp3's, the files were real, I listened to them daily.

6) Hubby went to the store and got a Computer to Computer RJ45 Ethernet cable (I have cable, 2 nics) and I'm going to attempt to get those BLASTED files off the 1.75Gig drive. I am on the net now looking for how to configure the machine to do it.

IT'S THE BLOODY "C" WORD AGAIN, "CONFIGURE", I HATE THAT.

[This message has been edited by cyndy10 (edited 07-19-2001).]

I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED.

I got smart, so I thought, and used the Direct Cable Connection Wizard. I set up the Host, set up the guest, it said it was connecting, I used port LPT1 since I have no printer connected to either right now, and IT WOULD NOT CONNECT.

It told me to be sure I had my cable connected and had ran the Wizard on both machines. I HAVE. THEY ARE. IT IS.

I AM GOING TO GET A CATTLE PROD AND ZAP EVERYTHING I SEE.

WHat the heck did I do WRONG? Plus, my husband is ZERO help. NONE. LESS THAN NONE if that is possible. I am tired of going from chair to chair, screen to screen, wizard to wizard, problem to problem, just ONCE, I WANT SOMETHING TO WORK.

Do I have to enable file sharing under Network properties or something? It didn't say anything about that.

(*********looking for cattle prod**********)