XP suddenly changing settings?

[Jenny]

Ok, I am running XP on my laptop. I have a problem with it right now that is driving me batty.

The settings you can change what is hidden and what is always shown on the taskbar keeps changing itself suddenly. Ya know, where you click the Start button, right click on the bottom of it, click Properties. Then in Taskbar, click customize at the bottom. Things like ICQ, my wireless network connection icon and the wired one, and occasionally the AIM icon, will suddenly change so that they are always shown or always hidden, etc. I have AIM & ICQ set to Always Show but everything else to Always Hide. But it keeps changing.

Why? Help! lol TIA!

[Speedfreak]

Changing after rebooting or while in windows?

[Jenny]

Originally posted by Speedfreak
Changing after rebooting or while in windows?

I believe it happens when I reboot...

[Speedfreak]

Well, all I can say is that it has happened to me, too. Seems it's not isolated to you.

[smurphy]

I had this problem too. I have 2 XP Pros but it cleared up when I installed SP1 on my main system but my gaming system with SP1 it still happens. I have not found a fix for it either.

Cheers,
Scott Murphy

[seqiro]

This is a known issue with Windows XP. Known to the users anyway. :)
At any rate, here is what a Microsoft MVP had to say about it:

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We are currently waiting for a universal fix. In the meantime...

Three methods/workarounds: Log off and Log back on, password protect your account or...

Right click My Computer/Manage. Expand Services and Applications then Click on Services.
A list of services appears in the right column. Scroll down to the SSDP and uPnP Service.
Right click each, choose properties. Change the text next to "Startup type:" to Disabled.

Or if you are running XP SP1 uninstall UPnP from Add/Remove Windows
Components.

Options:

Hide or Show Inactive Icons in the Notification Area (Line 53)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Remove Past Items From the Notification Area (Line 53)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Once done, Open Task Manager, click the Processes tab, click
Explorer.exe, and then click End Process. In Task Manager, click File,
click New Task, type explorer, and then click OK.


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Hope something there helps.