Windows 7: little annoyances.. any help?

Hi. Been running the trial of Windows 7 and started getting the popup notices that I needed to install a legit version. I finally bit the bullet and handed out cash for a microsoft product which I believed wasnt broken.

Now my life is a nightmare. I recall I used to enjoy doing clean installs and putting in all the tweaks I like, but all the mods I've attempted this time around have had annoying side affects.

Putting the "show desktop" icon back on the taskbar now means i hear the "welcome" sound the first time it's clicked on.

Windows don't appear "on top" when I click to open them from the task bar.

Can't connect to my network using manual TCP/IP settings

The little "jump bar" is missing for my frequently used shortcuts - (don't even know how to expain this. but quicklaunch icons woudl appear to the right of the taskear icons... )

The trial version was an upgrade. This is a clean install, and its really bugging me.

Any ideas?

Did you know about the little square on the right end of the task bar for show desktop?

I have had problems with some windows and alerts not poping up on top and I believe Microsoft knows about the situation. Is there some specific program or programs this happens with?

I assume you know what settings are required, so why can you not? Windows does have a strange way to assign addresses if it has a problem connecting.

If you are referring to the Quick Launch, there is a way to put it back, but I would not recommend it. The taskbar as it is seems to do the same thing.

I must apologise for posting so hastily. I hope that you understand my post was coming from a point of frustration. I remember the days when a new windows install with all the accompanying tweaks was fun. Now I just want my computer to work.

The thing is, when I downloaded and installed the trial version, (Windows 7 Ultimate,) everything worked the way it should and I was happy. I figured with a clean install it should be the same, if not better.

Yes I know about the 'show desktop' to the right of the taskbar, but even when I use that for the first time after startup, windows plays the welcome sound. Anyway I like to have a big icon in the bottom left hand corner for 'show desktop'.

The 'quicklaunch' bar I refer to just appeared by itself after the first trial install. It was nice. I had full size icons that were solid or opaque depending on whether the relevant application was in use. I just assumed this was part of the magic of Windows 7. They are not there anymore, and adding quicklaunch to the taskbar now gives me small icons

the IP addressing issue is just plain beyond me. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. I never had this problem with the trial version. It always worked.

SO is there a difference between the retail version and the trial?

Shoudl I hold my breath and wait for updates?

Seriously. What gives?

Yes a BIG difference. The trial version did not have everything going.
If this was a recent install I would try and do a repair install with the disk and see if that helps.

Since the new retail install have you updated all the drivers and updates that MS has?