Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 150241 2021-10-30 22:08:00 Taskbar not responding Tony (4941) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1481727 2021-10-30 22:08:00 I've just had a call from a friend who says his taskbar is locked. I took him through the things I could think of - restart the laptop and restart explorer.exe via task manager, but neither of those seemed to help. He is bringing it over this arvo, and I would appreciate any more ideas (a) about what might be happening and (b) what we can do.

TIA.
Tony (4941)
1481728 2021-10-30 22:33:00 1st thing I would try is start in Safe mode, if it works OK in that then theres a chance something is running in the background. Then go into task manager and see whats in the startup, and disable everything that doesn't need to run.

You can try sfc /scannow in Command Prompt, or if that doesn't work have a read ( scroll down to the PowerShell option) helpdeskgeek.com
wainuitech (129)
1481729 2021-10-30 22:36:00 Thanks for the prompt response WT. How do I start in safe mode on a laptop? (N00b question I know, but it is so long since I've had to do it I've forgotten.) :( Tony (4941)
1481730 2021-10-30 22:58:00 Assuming its W10.

If the Start/restart is working , restart holding down the Shift Key, keep it held down and it will boot into recovery mode, from advanced there is the start up options. If its not working from start, press the power button, as soon as windows starts to load press and hold the power down again shutting down, repeat, on the third ( sometimes forth) time it will start the recovery options again (as above).
wainuitech (129)
1481731 2021-10-30 23:06:00 Thanks. I'll post an update later. Tony (4941)
1481732 2021-10-31 02:06:00 Assuming its W10.

If the Start/restart is working , restart holding down the Shift Key, keep it held down and it will boot into recovery mode, from advanced there is the start up options. If its not working from start, press the power button, as soon as windows starts to load press and hold the power down again shutting down, repeat, on the third ( sometimes forth) time it will start the recovery options again (as above).

Sorted.
Into Safe Mode and out again gave it the jolt it needed. My friend was totally gobsmacked at the result. He is not all tech-savvy and had all sorts of nightmare scenarios of having to get a new laptop etc going on, so this was a great result. I gave you the credit you deserve, of course.
I think the taskbar wasn't actually frozen, everything was just exceedingly slow. It was interesting that when I started Task Manager it took for ever, and then was showing 25% CPU usage for the Task Manager task. If I tried to close it it seemed to freeze and eventually showed the "Program is not responding" dialogue. I selected Close the application and it immediately restarted Task Manager.
Thanks for all your help - WT to the rescue again!
So how do you start in safe mode from a closed down laptop?
Tony (4941)
1481733 2021-10-31 02:21:00 Sorted.
Into Safe Mode and out again gave it the jolt it needed. My friend was totally gobsmacked at the result. He is not all tech-savvy and had all sorts of nightmare scenarios of having to get a new laptop etc going on, so this was a great result. I gave you the credit you deserve, of course.
I think the taskbar wasn't actually frozen, everything was just exceedingly slow. It was interesting that when I started Task Manager it took for ever, and then was showing 25% CPU usage for the Task Manager task. If I tried to close it it seemed to freeze and eventually showed the "Program is not responding" dialogue. I selected Close the application and it immediately restarted Task Manager.
Thanks for all your help - WT to the rescue again!
So how do you start in safe mode from a closed down laptop?

Safe mode from Shutdown -- as above
press the power button, as soon as windows starts to load press and hold the power down again shutting down, repeat, on the third ( sometimes forth) time it will start the recovery options. Sounds a bit harsh, but since MS decided that Pressing F8 can be removed theres no real other way. What happens when doing that, on the third go Windows decides its damaged and needs the recovery:illogical

Know what you mean about "needing a jolt" was on a job the other day, someone had told her it was completely had it. :( When I got there wouldn't even go into safe mode :o So booted from a recovery type CD I have to look to see if the Data was still there, it was, so on restarting it booted right in normally :) All VERY SLOW,

The lady was WOW, miricle worker, Now I had to say-- Wasn't me I didn't change anything, (I was honest, this is a time I can say I didn't touch anything)But once it was going it did need some work doing. Tracked the problem -- Trend Micro decided to play silly buggers on an update.
wainuitech (129)
1481734 2021-10-31 03:09:00 Safe mode from Shutdown -- as above Sounds a bit harsh, but since MS decided that Pressing F8 can be removed theres no real other way. What happens when doing that, on the third go Windows decides its damaged and needs the recovery:illogical
D'oh!
Tony (4941)
1