[ToshiroOC]

Recently, when I have maximized windows on my desktop (WinXP), the bottom of the maximized window does not stop at the taskbar, but instead goes over and covers the taskbar. I can't think of anything I did in particular that preceded this behavior, and did not resolve upon restart. Needless to say, this gets somewhat annoying as I cannot use a maximized window if I am switching back and forth between applications, but instead have to manually resize every window I open to fill the screen. Maybe I'm missing something obvious - this seems like a really simple problem, but I couldn't replicate the behavior on my other XP box at all, much less fix it on this one.

I looked through the registry to see if there was a key that controlled this behavior, and I googled around, but I didn't see anything that seemed to pertain to this particular problem. Anyone know how to fix this?

[Vampyromaniac]

right-click taskbar... Properties... check Always On Top

...and nice seeing you here, sir

[ToshiroOC]

It's checked - I tried that

EDIT: Well damn. Unchecked it, rebooted, and it works fine*. I think I'll just not touch it anymore. Many many thanks

*was planning on checking it again then rebooting again, but it fixed it, so no worries

[Vampyromaniac]

hehe thats wacky ol' windows for ya

[PangingJr]

Registry relates and controls the 'Keep the taskbar on top of other windows' is called "StuckRects2", it's the subkey under the key - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer

i like to test it 1st since i've never done anything to the registry key before,
and to see if that key helps reseting the taskbar in the case of registry corruption within the key, it'll be a while before my next reboot, i'll let you know after that..

if the checked/unchecked options within the taskbar properties help fixing the prob, then your registey is okay, but if not, then wait for my test results..

[PangingJr]

normally, you wont need to reboot your PC to see the change after changing the option in the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties. if you have to reboot to see the change or you find the taskbar act in a improper way... could be the related registry is corrupted.

here's how to reset it..
in Registry Editor, locate.. HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Exp lorer.,
under the key, locate.. "StuckRects2", R-click on it and select Delete.
close the registry edior and Reboot.

after reboot, Windows will re-create the registry and reset your taskbar..

note-- Export the registry key before deleting it.
just incase, no need to save this, you can delete it after that..

[ToshiroOC]

Thanks Panging I restored my registry from an older backup and the behavior reverted to normal - I looked at those keys, I'm gonna remember those, since they look quite useful/important. I really should reinstall windows at some point, this one install of mine has been so badly abused by tweaks its falling apart at the edges

[PangingJr]

You're welcome. i make this script for you,
it'll create a .REG file for tune your XP up abit before your next reformat.
well i'm not sure if it'll work after i put it on this page..

'This script will create a .REG file on your desktop,
'it will not modify your registry.

Option Explicit

Dim WshShell, where : Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
where = WshShell.SpecialFolders("Desktop")

Dim fso, myfile
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set myfile = fso.CreateTextFile(where & "\regfile.reg", True)

myfile.WriteLine("Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & ";for winXP only." _
& vbcrlf & ";Resetting Taskbar, Folder views, IE windows size and location." _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\" _
  & "Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2]" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\" _
  & "Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\" _
  & "Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\" _
  & "Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]" _
& vbcrlf & """Window_Placement""=-" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\" _
  & "Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]" _
& vbcrlf & """NoSaveSettings""=dword:00000000")

WScript.Echo "REG file now exists on your Desktop." _
& vbcrlf & "You'll see it contains after this dialog closed." _
& vbcrlf & "This script do not modify your registry," _
& vbcrlf & "Run the REG file to modify/update your registry." _
& vbcrlf & "Then reboot your PC. GoodLuck!"

WshShell.Run "notepad regfile.reg"
Set WshShell = Nothing

[PangingJr]

adjust these two lines below.. make sure it'll be no wrap on the lines,
and no empty space after the "
" Microsoft should read "Microsoft
and it'll do..

& "Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2]" _

& "Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]" _

okay, i really dont know how can i fix those empty space and line wrap on the script so here's is how the reg file looks..

[ToshiroOC]

Interesting: I'll save that down. I'll probably just type up the reg file, rather than use a script, though - I don't really see why the script intermediary is quite necessary Anyway, thanks again

[PangingJr]

No prob. ToshiroOC.

and here're afew more you can do for maintaining the XP..
- clean up your Prefetch folder
- rebuild the Icon Cache Data Base file by deleting this file..."IconCache.db"
the file is in C:\Documents and Settings\<Your User ID>\Local Settings\Application Data.

after applying the above REG file and done with these two, reboot your PC, then Defrag all HDDs.


and no, i didt need to use the VBScript nor posting the image at all, my 1st thought was the script will help me give out any REG file to anyone more easier and have no prob to me (after i posted it) nor any prob to the ppls who'll use the REG file. so the VBScript is kinda help me for not having to do a long post explaining how to edit registry manually, i'm not good at that...
i didt expect, kinda hoping i guess, not to get an empty space and the lines wrapping again on the VBScript since i've have succeeded post it on the others thread before, but when posting the Registry script i seem to have prob with it at most of the time., i guess this's becoz of the forum software.

--------------------
testing...
here's how it looks on this page.. when i copy/paste from the above REG file..

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;for winXP only.
;Resetting Taskbar, Folder views, IE windows size and location.

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"Window_Placement"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000

[PangingJr]

testing..... i like to see how it looks on this page when copy/paste from the below text editor...

'This script will create a .REG file on your desktop,
'it will not modify your registry.

Option Explicit

Dim WshShell, where : Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
where = WshShell.SpecialFolders("Desktop")

Dim fso, myfile
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set myfile = fso.CreateTextFile(where & "\regfile.reg", True)

myfile.WriteLine("Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & ";for winXP only." _
& vbcrlf & ";Resetting Taskbar, Folder views, IE windows size and location." _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects2]" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU]" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]" & vbcrlf & """Window_Placement""=-" _
& vbcrlf & vbcrlf & "[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]" & vbcrlf & """NoSaveSettings""=dword:00000000")

WScript.Echo "REG file now exists on your Desktop." _
& vbcrlf & "You'll see it contains after this dialog closed." & vbcrlf & "This script do not modify your registry," _
& vbcrlf & "Run the REG file to modify/update your registry." & vbcrlf & "Then reboot your PC. GoodLuck!"

WshShell.Run "notepad regfile.reg"
Set WshShell = Nothing

[PangingJr]

UberLord, thiss about our PM conv.

[ToshiroOC]

Rock on - I've added these to my disc of "stuff to use" on all my Windows installs Just out of curiousity, when you say defrag the hard drives, do you use the built in program in Windows, or do you use a separate one? I've never been unhappy with VoptXP, personally, but I'm sure something better that I haven't heard of exists

[PangingJr]

PerfectDisk 6 is my choice, i've found it works so good on Home PC, its designed to make the defragmentation process easy. i also use only Boot Prefetch (there wont be any Apps prefetch files builds up in the prefetch folder and i can disable the Task Scheduler service with no ill..) and let PerfectDisk disk manage my boot files, this makes my computer boots faster and i'hve not yet seen any prob with programs loading time.

Diskeeper 8 could be better when using it to manage Networked PCs.