System Tray

[Tira]

Hello, Sometimes, I'm not sure why, the icons in my system tray (I believe that's what's called - where the clock is and other icons in the lower right corner) dissapear. It also shows the icon when I'm connected to the internet and once I want to log off I double click it and disconnect. Why does that happen and, if the icon is not there, what is another way to disconnect from the interet??? I know that going to the File menu of the Interet Explorer let's me choose "Work Offline" but that doesn't disconnect me from the interet. So, where do I have to go to disconnect if I don't have my icon??? Thanks for your help, Tira

[WyllyWylly]

Hi Tira,

It sounds like the shell, Explorer itself, is crashing and reloading. That means that the taskbar and system tray would momentarily disappear and then reappear after Windows recovers. Have you noticed any error messages appearing on the screen at any time, or the taskbar disappearing? Windows 98 (and other versions, incidentally) are poor for keeping those icons in the tray where they belong if the shell crashes.

To disconnect from the Internet when this occurs, open a Windows Explorer window - the folder with the magnifying glass, or click Start - Run and enter explorer. Find the Control Panel entry, expand it by clicking on the plus sign, and then select the Dial-up Networking folder. Once highlighted, the right-hand area will display all of your dial-up connections and their status. You can right-click on the DUN entry and select Disconnect.

[Tira]

Thanks, Mark, for your help. I used to shut down and reboot my coputer;-)) No, I have not received any error msg and it doesn't disappear and appears again. It stays away until I reboot. Well, at least now I know how to disconnect. And, not that I think it matters, I don't have a "Dial-Up Networking" in my Control Panel. I need to go to Programs, Accessories, Communications. Thanks again, Tira

[Phil Rabichow]

Hi Tira:
In Win98, you also have a Dial-Up Networking folder right in the main Explorer window. You can open that & look for your connection & right click it. If it happens often, you could put a shortcut to this folder on your desktop.

I would go to Start/Run & type "sfc" (no quotes). See if it shows that you have any corrupt files. Your machine is not acting correctly. Do you know of anything that you installed just before this behavior started? You might also take your Win98 CD & rerun the installation. There's a repair or verify option that will repair certain corrupt files. I'd also run a full virus check.

Hope this helps,

[KenK]

Hi Tira

There are programs that allow the tray icons to be hidden........are you using any desktop themes or 'tweaking' software that might be the culprit?
Have you done a virus scan since this has started happening?
In your 'Taskbar and Startmenu Properties" do you have 'Auto Hide' selected?

Have a Great day!!!
Ken

[Tira]

Phil, Thank you for the info. I didn't find any currupt files and no, I did not previously install anything. It doesn't happen often and it really doesn't interrupt me work, I was just wondering why this would happen. Well, who understands these computers;-) Thanks again, Tira

[Tira]

Ken, thanks for your help. I'm not using any themes just plain ol Win98. I have run a virus scan but not since. I should probably do that. And, No, I don't have the "Auto Hide" selected. It hasn't happened again since I've posted my msg. so I'll see when it'll happen again. Thank you for your help. Tira