xp pro task manager problem

[Glenn]

For some reason when I go to access the taskmanager it sometimes wont start, all I get is the little icon on the task bar which you cant right click or double click, so I go to restart the computer and it says programme not responding and brings up the end now box. Once you do this the icon closes and the computer restrats and I can then access the taskmanager again until the next time it goes crazy.
Any ideas on this would be great.
cheers

[Azn_tweaker]

did u hide it in the "Hide inactive icons"?

[Glenn]

No its not hidden, when this happens I can see the icon for the taskmanager but its stopped responding and I have to restart the computer to bring it right.