Windows 7 disappearing start/task bar

[profpedantic]

this isn't too critical a problem as a re-boot easily fixes it but...

after a few hours of being on, if i leave my computer and it goes into screen saver/auto-sleep mode, upon waking it again, the start bar and task bar disappears. however, the start button is still there. i can click on it and access the program list and everything else on the start menu, but any program minimized, or even just resting open, on the start/task bar is invisible. hovering over it does not make it re-appear, as i said, rebooting seems to be the only thing to get it going again.

i have not tried, mostly because i don't know the name of the application, starting it through Task Manager, but instead of reboot, that may get it going again. so my questions are:

is anyone else seeing this problem?

and

what is the name of the start/task bar application so i can re-start it through Task Manager? or should i just continue to reboot to be safe?

my computer spec (if useful)

Intel core Duo CPU E6550 @ 2.33 ghz 2.33 ghz
4gb ram
Nvidia GeForce 8800GTS (i have downloaded and updated for Win7 drivers...awesome that they had them ready )

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you are experiencing an issue with the taskbar and start menu disappearing after your computer wakes from the screen saver or sleep mode. This can be frustrating, but there are a few things you can try to resolve the issue without having to reboot each time. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially fix the issue: 1. Restart Windows Explorer: - The taskbar and start menu are part of the Windows Explorer process. You can try restarting Windows Explorer to see if it resolves the problem without needing a full reboot. - To restart Windows Explorer: - Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. - In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer. - Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart. 2. Check for Windows Updates: - Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Sometimes, updates can contain fixes for such issues. 3. Update Graphics Drivers: - Since you mentioned updating NVIDIA drivers, ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. Graphics driver issues can sometimes cause display anomalies. 4. Check Power Settings: - Sometimes, power settings can affect how your computer wakes from sleep mode. Check your power settings to ensure that they are configured correctly. 5. Run System File Checker: - Use the System File Checker tool to scan your system files for any corruption and repair them if needed. - Open Command Prompt as an administrator. - Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. - Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions. In Task Manager, the process responsible for the taskbar and start menu is typically explorer.exe. If you ever need to restart it, you can do so by ending the process in Task Manager and then starting it again by running explorer.exe. If the issue persists, it may be worth checking the Event Viewer for any related error messages that could provide more insight into the problem. Feel free to try these steps and let me know if you need further assistance or if you have any other questions!