leftside taskbar icon button missing

[gcontos]

Windows Explorer problem XP - left-side task bar icons/buttons (systray..?)

On my computer (xp french) everything's ok. On my friend's computer (xp french too) everything's not ok.

On my computer :
In the leftside of my XP leftside bottom screen task bar, there's a
button/icon, what looks like small square with a square in the middle, with pencil in the middle of that.

Let's call that button/icon "doodad". and roll-over w mouse displays
"bureau" I suppose = "desk main screen" en English.

So .. when I'm working on one application clicking on this button
enables me to open another application. Meaning clicking on doodad will get me back to desktop main screen where are displayed all the desktop screen buttons. This function allows me to choose whichever other application I want to open. All this above is good .. but

My friend's XP system computer does not display doodad leftside of bottom
taskbar, so while working on his computer, I've got to reduce an open
application in order to see all the desktop screen application buttons.

My computer works. Therefore on mine I checked out "configuration panel" => "taskbar", but can't find that option/button/icon for doodad, to enable me to put that doodad button on leftside his taskbar. Please advise.

Thanks in advance.
G

[Miz]

The doodad button is called the "Show Desktop" icon. To restore it the easy way, go to Kelly's Korner, scroll down to line 61 and in the right-hand column, click on "Restore/Add Show Desktop to Quick Launch Bar" to download a small vbs file. Run it according to the instructions at the top of that page.

[gcontos]

Thanks to you, Miz, for showing me great buncha tweakies! I downloaded line 61 vbs file (righthand side) to stick it w/i my personal file "tips system" but w/o installation because my computer already had that function. But copied that DL on to my pendrive key ready to execute/install on my friend's computer when I get over there ..
"basically life is beautiful except for victims"
Happy weekend in your 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' in the 'Land of Oz'. Your state anthem .. maybe should be. It's a song of hope where dreams really come true. Gee whiz, Dorothy, thanks a lot.
Cheers,
G
*

Originally Posted by Miz

The doodad button is called the "Show Desktop" icon. To restore it the easy way, go to Kelly's Korner, scroll down to line 61 and in the right-hand column, click on "Restore/Add Show Desktop to Quick Launch Bar" to download a small vbs file. Run it according to the instructions at the top of that page.