# Computer question: disappearing Start-bar **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410 "2004-08-11T20:35:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/1 "2004-08-11T20:35:06Z")
OK, I’ve got a Dell Inspiron 600m laptop. I start it up and all is well. When it goes into a hibernate mode (or whatever it is), and I try to get it rolling again, there’s no start-toolbar at the bottom. I need to reboot the computer to bring it back. I dunno how to fix this. I’ve already clicked on the Control Panel that says that the start-toolbar should always be on top. Anyone think they can help me figure this out? It’s Windows XP, I can give any other info. I tried to go to the Windows Help page, and that was a total bust, I got twisted around in an inability to register or log on or whatever it was. ---
**Author:** ![legion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/838e76/32.png) [@legion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legion)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/2 "2004-08-11T21:09:30Z")
Have you tried right clicking on the task bar and clicking “Lock the Taskbar”. ? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/3 "2004-08-11T21:17:21Z")
Try [this](http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article07-006) and see if it works. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/4 "2004-08-11T21:22:41Z")
I feel kinda silly telling you this, as you are the administrator for one of the most powerful message boards and info portals on the planet…but this situation happens all the time to my wife…and al you need to do is place your cursor as far to the bottom as you can, left click and hold, and drag up…Thats it. The start bar is just hidden… Happens all the time to my wifes laptop, which is comparable to yours… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/5 "2004-08-11T21:27:00Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > I feel kinda silly telling you this, as you are the administrator for one of the most powerful message boards and info portals on the planet…but this situation happens all the time to my wife…and al you need to do is place your cursor as far to the bottom as you can, left click and hold, and drag up…Thats it. The start bar is just hidden… Happens all the time to my wifes laptop, which is comparable to yours… 🙂 Sounds like his problem is not as simple as that. Sounds like his start bar is ‘crashing’, correct me if I am wrong **CKDH**. do you have a start button on your keynoard? press it (this often unhides a hidden bar) Try ctrl-alt-delete and in the processes tab do end process on ‘explore.exe’ it will restart after you do this (the process, not the computer) ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/6 "2004-08-11T21:29:45Z")
That should be _Windows key_ on your key_b_oard. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/7 "2004-08-11T21:35:25Z")
For those who are leery of Ctrl-Alt-Delete, Ctrl-Esc is supposed to have the same effect as clicking on the Start button, even if it’s hiding. Does that do anything for you? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/8 "2004-08-11T21:38:00Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > For those who are leery of Ctrl-Alt-Delete, Ctrl-Esc is supposed to have the same effect as clicking on the Start button, even if it’s hiding. Does that do anything for you? The Windows™ key found on many MS-compatible keyboards has the same effect. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/9 "2004-08-11T22:08:32Z")
This is quite possibly not really a toolbar problem. Hibernation involves a lot of hardware and software working together seamlessly. It sounds like your machine is not hibernating and resuming correctly, and it’s essentially partially crashing the desktop when it comes back and the toolbar goes with it. 1: Check your BIOS power down settings 2: Check your OS power down settings in control panel 3: Go to Dell’s support site for the latest drivers for your machine and OS and apply them. I would also DL the latest BIOS flash and update your machine’s BIOS if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-disappearing-start-bar/259410/10 "2004-08-11T22:12:47Z")
If all else fails you could always turn off the hibernate feature.