recently reinstalled windows xphome....it seems to work ok, but the bottom
toolbar only appears briefly, not long enough to click on any programs,
desktop, changing settings, etc. Also on the lower right that usually shows
small icons like sound, security systems installed and time of day do not
appear......since the start button is not there, i must shut down thru
alternate methods......any advice?

Try this: (if it is in 'auto hide mode' this should work)
right click on the start button>left click on properties>left click on
Taskbar> left click to untick 'auto hide taskbar'
and see if that brings the taskbar into view.
To access the start button just keep your mouse arrow at the bottom of your
'desktop' until the task bar popsup and slide it along to the start button
in order to right click on it...
**otherwise go to: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm and go to
#117
and it should help.....
good luck!
--
Shelagh


"grady" <grady@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:32AEA750-CF37-4B62-AC8C-220228875742@microsoft.com...
> recently reinstalled windows xphome....it seems to work ok, but the bottom
> toolbar only appears briefly, not long enough to click on any programs,
> desktop, changing settings, etc. Also on the lower right that usually
> shows
> small icons like sound, security systems installed and time of day do not
> appear......since the start button is not there, i must shut down thru
> alternate methods......any advice?