Taskbar functionality problems on new install on dual Xeon server

busaboyz · 04 Mar 2015

A Win 7 install on an old server has got me flummoxed. I cannot get the taskbar to function properly. I have tried every trick I have found Googling and none have fixed the problem. I have reloaded the OS twice since the original install and same problems reappear. Once as a Win 7 "upgrade" keeping all my files and lastly as a full HD wipe and a fresh install. The original install used the on-board 8 MB video and same problems occurred. I hoped a new video card would fix the problem. I have loaded all the various versions of windows on different machines and have never seen this issue. I have run every software and hardware system integrity check I know and nothing is found. All my programs seems to function fine.

Problem:

If you open and close a program, the icon in the taskbar gets "stuck" and will not go away. If you put a shortcut on the taskbar, it functions on the first mouse click to open. After closing, the icon in the taskbar again gets "stuck" and will not go away. It does not open again unless you to press Shift on the keyboard and then mouse click on the icon. If you open a large number of programs or any task that puts and icons on the taskbar will quickly clutter the taskbar with icons both with and without graphics. There can be no active program, process or task and the taskbar be full of "ghost" icons. Only a reboot or killing and reloading explorer.exe will make the taskbar look normal until you open a program and the whole process continues. I use a bat file to automate the process. I tried deleting the IconCache.db file multiple times but no luck. I would like to know what process controls the taskbar and where the present state is stored.

Odd behavior:

I have been using the same few Gadgets for years on dozens of machines without an issue. One of them, Network Meter seems to respond slower than normal to a click to activate Settings. Even if I kill all Gadgets the taskbar problems persist. For a short time after a fresh install the taskbar seems to work properly after a large number of update. I then reloaded my Gadgets and it appears that the taskbar issue came back.

Hardware:

Win 7 pro loaded on old Tyan dual 32 bit Xeon server with only PCI-X and PCI slots with 4 GB of RAM, 250 MB HD, Nvidia 256MB PCI graphics, Soundblaster PCI audio and NEC USB PCI cards.

rvcjew · 05 Mar 2015

Have you installed your GPU drivers for the nvidia GPU, do you have the model of the motherboard and any addon cards? Does this persist if your using the classic theme (as in no areo)?

busaboyz · 05 Mar 2015

Motherboard: Tyan Tiger i7501 S2723
Video Card: Jaton Video-558PCI-DLP

Windows loads the latest Nvidia video drivers. Close to 200MB. I tried downgrading to the ones on Jaton's site but no change. The problem originally occurred using the ancient on-board ATI Rage 8 MB video. Tried multiple basic themes. Aero is not running.

I tried again removing video card and reverting back to on-board video running in safe mode. Still the taskbar misbehaves. Only killing and restarting explorer.exe cleans up the taskbar but it gets "corrupted" as soon as you click on a quick-launch icon, you double click a desktop icon or windows runs a task.