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9-22-00 That is a good question, and we in tech support hear it a lot when new users are learning to operate Windows 'XX. Yes, that is the question. "How did my taskbar
get up there on the right hand side of my screen and how do I get it back?
I can't even shut my computer down. Tech support has no idea how you managed to get your screen so messed up and we really don't try to back step and figure it out. A new user can find ways of making things happen to the computer that nobody understands and we accept that. The most important thing is to realize that the same thing has happened to most of us at some point in the learning process. No, we didn't know how we got the bar up there either. But someone helped us get it back and it was so easy; we felt dumb for not knowing how. Our job in tech support is to try to help you get things back to normal without making you more nervous than you already are. Here is a real tech support conversation: So, what do I do? All you have to do is click on the task bar on the right side of the screen then... Task Bar? Yeah, well the gray bar on the right hand side of the screen with the Start button at the top of it. Oh, I don't have that. What do you have then? I don't know. Ok, can you see the Start button? Yes. Then click on the start button and find the words Shut Down. It won't do anything! You click on the start button but it doesn't do anything? YES! It is supposed to have a drop down window with the words Shut Down on it. You are using windows '98 aren't you? Yes! Are you currently running a word processor or anything? Yes, Word. Then shut down your word processor and get it out of the way. How do I do that? Click on File and Exit. OK. Now what do you see on your screen. Well, the start button is in the right place again. Huh? Well, no it just went back up to the upper right corner again. The start button is up in the right hand corner again? Yes. Do you see a gray bar on the right hand side of the screen? No. Do you have any other programs running at this time? Well, Outlooks Express. Ok, what I want you to do is hold down the control key with one finger.... Huh? Find the key on the left side of the keyboard with Ctrl on it. OK. Hold it down and press the Alt key. At the same time? Yes. Now with those two keys being held down, press the Del key. What? Press the Delete key. OK. Do you see a little screen that has a line highlighted? Yes. What does it say? Ok, tell it to end that program. Ok. Do the same steps again. OK. What does it have highlighted? Ok. Have it to end the program. Hey, I can see my normal screen again, but the Start button is still on the right hand side. Ok, good. What I want you to do is the drag and drop technique. Do you know what I mean by that? Yes, I play the solitaire game a lot. That's good. This will be easy then. We will use the same technique. Click on the gray part of the Task Bar and drag toward the center of the screen and down. It won't work. Ok, keep trying it is just a matter of the drag and drop technique. You will get it to work soon. It won't work! Are you pointing and then clicking and holding down the left button and then dragging!? Yes!? Ok, when you click on the gray bar does it have a dotted outline or change in any way? No. Do you have a two button mouse? Yes. Ok, keep trying to click on the gray part of the task bar and hold the button down and drag the bar to the bottom of the screen. It doesn't work. Is there a way I can just shut this computer down and let somebody else worry about it? Yes. Click on the Start button and then click Shut Down. Is that all I have to do? Yes, if you can see Shut Down then click Shut Down. Phew, I am glad that's over. My husband can fix it tomorrow. Can I pay you in vegetables for you time? You don't have to pay me, but I will always take vegetables. Thanks. You're welcome! So, another tech support session ends well. smile. Tips by Jerry Davis (c) 2000TXOL Internet's Central and Southwestern Sales Representative
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