Hope I've put this question in the right section:

I wonder if you guys can help a computer novice using Windows XP and Internet Explorer. Yesterday, while BROWSING a well-known website, a pop-up ad breached my computer's DEFENCES (it nabs most of these things, but not all), and the taskbar vanished at the bottom of the screen. As the ad was located behind my Internet page, I minimized the page and closed the ad - but it TOOK the taskbar with it. Or, the taskbar was somehow 'hidden' and proved irretrievable. I couldn't restore the Internet page, go to 'Start', or do anything.

I went into the 'Help' section via the recycle bin on my desktop, where I was advised to click at the bottom of the screen where the taskbar usually sits, but that made no difference at all. I was eventually forced to switch off the entire computer by pulling the plug - the one thing we're constantly told NOT TO DO AT ANY TIME. In this case, being unable to extricate myself from this little predicament, I felt like I had no other choice.

I'm concerned I'll be forced to do the same thing if this happens again, and I wonder if anyone ELSE has had this annoying problem? Is there a solution if a pop-up ad 'steals' your taskbar? All help gratefully received.   First, did the taskbar ever come back? Second, which version of Windows are you using? Third, try using Microsoft Service Pack 2 if you have the right operating system... It helps prevent things like that...

[glb]Flame[/glb][[where I was advised to click at the bottom of the screen where the taskbar usually sits]]

When your pointer was at the bottom of the screen, did it turn into a double-headed arrow? If it does, you need to >click-hold-drag< it up a bit.

By chance do you have your monitor display settings stretched to far vertically?

My 2½¢

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
First, did the taskbar ever come back?

Yes, but only after I'd restarted my computer.

When your pointer was at the bottom of the screen, did it turn into a double-headed arrow? If it does, you need to >click-hold-drag< it up a bit.

No, the pointer didn't CHANGE shape at all. There was no response, no matter what I tried to do.

By chance do you have your monitor display settings stretched to far vertically?

I thought of that, but I've had the computer a while and there's been no problems with screen shape.

Frankly, I'm stumped. The same thing happened again earlier today, but this time I shrank the Internet page to half its size, located the ad and  zapped it. The taskbar returned instantly. I'm wondering if I might have accidentally pressed the 'minimize' button on that earlier ad, sending it into the absent taskbar, rather than pressing the 'close' button, which might explain why I couldn't restore the tasbar. I'm just going to have to be more careful about what I click in future...

Many thanks for your suggestions, guys. Much appreciated!