All members please read got a big problem

[DriftWolf]

Help
had a system lock up about 2 weeks ago had to fight with ctrl+Alt+delete you know usual thing. Haven't been on it since then. Know I come back and my ctrl+Alt+delete is f$#@ up. I have xp and as you know at the top are several tabs one for perfomance one for programs one for processes. I can not see the tabs or the X All I can see is the processes list. Help Help Help

[trulad]

You might try doing the "System restore" to set it back to before you had the lock up. It could have corrupted a file. You then need to find out why it locked up. Power supply?, Too hot? If you can't do a system restore,boot from your XP disk and do a repair.
trulad

[DriftWolf]

would a system restore not delete everything on my hardrive

[DriftWolf]

the lock up I believe was just form problemed programs

[ghost2003]

Originally posted by DriftWolf would a system restore not delete everything on my hardrive

no, thats formating, system sertore will restore all important system settings and the registry from a restore point.

[Panama Red]

Even if Restore doesn't solve your problem, you can do a Repair Install and not affect any of your programs or files. Try booting into SAFE mode (use F8) and run restore from there. You might also run your Anti Virus from Safe Mode also.

[DriftWolf]

You know I don't feel safe doing a safe mode or restore. Did I just change the look of the ctrl+alt+delete or something?

[DriftWolf]

what exatly would I need to do to do a system restore or safe mode?

[Panama Red]

To get to Safe Mode, as your system boots you will see a "splash screen", typically the manufacturer's name or the motherboard logo. At that point begin tapping the F8 key. You will get a menu of start options in dos format. Use the up and down arrows to select SAFE, hit enter. It will start your system without any running programs and your screen will look washed out cuz the video driver will default to the VGA setting.

To do a System Restore, Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore. Follow the prompts.

[DriftWolf]

Which would be easier? Are their any draw backs? How do I end either one once I am done?

[Panama Red]

Safe mode is just like your normal screen only with washed out colors. You shut down or restart the same way you always do. The two are not related as one or the other. It's just better to do the restore from within Safe mode so no unnecessary programs/processes are running. You simply select a day off the calender in System Restore that is prior to your problem and select Restore. It will revert your system back to that date. When you examine the calender you will see various dates and restore points available. Nothing to be afraid of.

[Hi Ho]

A system restore would probably be easier. System Restore has saved me many times. It won't delete anything. All it does is restore your computer to exactly the way it was on the date you restore it to without deleting new files.

[Vigo]

System Restore can cause problems and clutter your hard drive. It also takes a lot of resources and simply keeping the service itself running is a security risk since viruses like to hide in it. I never use it therefore its disabled.

If I were to encounter a problem I couldnt fix (in windows) I'd simply reinstall windows. Nothing beats a clean format though. I love formatting my older computers. Even if you think your doing everything possible to keep your computer 100% clean and error free it just isn't enough. A good format every now and again does wonders for a system.

[DriftWolf]

What should I do ?

[Hi Ho]

System Restore can take up space but it's not noticable with todays hard drives. I'd say it's definetly worth it to keep it enabled. I have never had a problem and it is much, much more convenient than completely reinstalling everything. Try a System Restore first. It should fix it.

[ghost2003]

First do a system restore as many have said before, it even has a undo option after you do it. Try to boot in safe mode with networking, that will let you go on the internet and there you can go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com and scan your computer for viruses. Dont worry, its safe.

EDIT:hi ho beat me to it

[wedor]

Before you get carried away with all of this I will answer your original question, to get the tabs to show on the top of Task Manager again just double left click on the Task Manager box border.

[suitcase]

One other thing too, if you havn't set a restore point prior to this, you wont be able to restore. XP doesn't set one originaly....I think.

[Hi Ho]

XP automatically sets a restore point daily.

[ROYP123]

unless it is not activated

[DrZaius]

No need for restores or sage mode, to get your tabs and menu back in Task Manager just double click anywhere on the border of the process window like wedor suggested.