What happened to my start menu?

Verify which reason apply to you, but first you must be sure that the TASKBAR is not locked:

DISABLE LOCK THE TASKBAR

• PRESS CTRL + ESC (both keys at the same time) or the WINDOWS key to display the START MENU/TASKBAR

• Right-click the START button and select PROPERTIES from the pop-up menu

• Select the TASKBAR tab

• Under the TASKBAR APPEARANCE section, make sure that there is not a check mark beside LOCK THE TASKBAR. If it is then, uncheck it and click OK to unprotect the TASKBAR.

REASON 1: AUTOHIDE THE TASKBAR IS ENABLE, to disable then:

• PRESS CTRL + ESC (both keys at the same time) or the WINDOWS key to display the START MENU/TASKBAR

• Under the TASKBAR APPEARANCE section, uncheck AUTO-HIDE TASKBAR

• (Optional) Set the recommended settings (check below)

• Click APPLY/OK to save the changes

OPTION 2: THE TASKBAR WAS MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION. To restore the taskbar default location:

Method 1:

• PRESS CTRL + ESC (both keys at the same time) or the WINDOWS key to display the START MENU/TASKBAR

• Press ESC key. You will notice a small gray line where the START BUTTON was.

• Move the mouse cursor over that gray line, and when your mouse cursor change into a double-headed arrow, then click and hold the mouse button and move the bar up

• (Optional) Set the recommended settings (check below)

Method 2:

• Restart your computer in Safe mode: restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key, and then choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu.

• Reboot your PC: the taskbar will reset to the default position after you reboot your PC

• (Optional) Set the recommended settings (check below)

REASON 3: LAST RESOURCE If everything fails then download and use this program to reset Windows XP taskbar

http://www.ehow.com/how_5784266_reset-taskbar-wind...

RECOMMENDED SETTINGS:

PRESS CTRL + ESC (both keys at the same time) or the WINDOWS key to display the START MENU/TASKBAR, and under the TASKBAR APPEARANCE section

• To prevent accidental changes or movement of the the Taskbar check LOCK THE TASKBAR

• To permanently display the taskbar on your computer screen check KEEP THE TASKBAR ON TOP OF OTHER WINDOWS

• Click APPLY/OK to save the changes

Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to fire up the Task Manager.

Now on the File menu, select New Task (Run...).

Type in "explorer" and press OK.

That should restart explorer and re-display your Taskbar.

Or

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

or

If that does not work, try to do a system restore

I've had some pretty good luck with tech forums. I've attached one that pertains to a "missing start bar" for you.