Windows Xp Desktop Restoration

I have seen so many HELP request dealing with the desktop and the taskbar that I wrote this web page to save time. I'm not complaining, I just wanted to make this easier.

BIG JOHN (BJ)

1. DESKTOP ICONS DISAPPEARED
2. TASKBAR DISAPPEARED
3. TASKBAR STILL NOT VISIBLE

DESKTOP ICONS DISAPPEARED

If your desktop icons have disappeared, do the following...

1. Right click on the open desktop.
2. Now move the cursor to "Arrange Icons By".
3. Click "Show Desktop Icons".

TASKBAR DISAPPEARED

If your TASKBAR has disappeared, do the following...

1. Press the "Windows key" on the keyboard. Normally next to the "Alt key", should have a Windows logo on it. The "TASKBAR" should appear. If just the start menu shows, see "TASKBAR STILL NOT VISIBLE" below.
2. Now move the cursor to the side of the screen where the TASKBAR appeared. It should re-appear.
3. Right click on an open area of the TASKBAR. A dialog box should appear.
4. Click on "PROPERTIES". The properties dialog box should appear.
5. Click the box in front of "Auto-hide the taskbar", and click 'OK'. The TASKBAR should now be back on the desktop.

TASKBAR STILL NOT VISIBLE

If just the start menu shows when you press the Windows key, do the following...

1. Move the cursor to the side of the screen where the start menu appeared. The cursor should change into a double arrow. You should only see half of the arrow as the rest is off screen.
2. Click and hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor toward the center of the screen. Release the mouse button when the size of the taskbar is acceptable.
3. Now right click on the taskbar. A dialog box will open.
4. Click on "Lock the Taskbar". This keeps any size changes from happening.