Multiple icons in task bar

  • Thread starter Thread starter bovinepoor
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bovinepoor

I just verified that the problem is not associated with
hyperthreading. I disabled hyperthreading in the BIOS and
the problem is still present.

I used to write IO drivers and driver front-end plugins for NT,
etc. I'm quite familiar with threading and critical sections and
such. This has the feeling of a threaded reentrancy problem. I
do know for a fact that I never observed a duplicated icon
prior to last night--then, poof!--after the processor, mother
board and memory were changed the problem appeared.

It's probably a simple (!) execution speed issue; I changed from
a standard 2.4 P4 to 3.0 P4 530. That's not a real large clock
speed increase but there is a significant change in cache size
that increases performance and can give much problems if
one or more variables were not protected.

The memory change would also have a significant impact
on speed. The prior memory was a single DDR-266 with FSB
533. The new memory is two DDR-400 with FSB 800. That
change would produce a significant speed boost.

It could be a reentrancy problem; but I'm leaning toward a
problem that is a combination of speed and the larger cache.

I've notice something else. Duplicate icons are not intermittent.
As example; with everything idle and no network stuff going on,
if I click on IE in the Taskbar I get one added icon; click on IE
that's pinned to the start menu I do NOT get an added icon;
click on 'Help and Support' in the start menu I get four added
icon; click on Calculator in the Taskbar I get two added
icon. This happens every time. It's not intermittent at all on
this platform, and it didn't fail at all prior to changing the mother
board and processor. It should be noted that I'm still using the
same primary disk and the OS (XP Pro) and applications were
NOT reloaded.

Have a nice one;

bov
 
I don't know the answer, but I can report that I have
experienced the same problem, though thus far with only
one account on only one of my computers. The number of
icons has never gone above two so far. As you observed,
the extra one disappears when the cursor passes over it.
 
I don't know the answer, but I can report that I have
experienced the same problem, though thus far with only
one account on only one of my computers. The number of
icons has never gone above two so far. As you observed,
the extra one disappears when the cursor passes over it.
Click to expand...

If you look in microsoft.private.security.spyware.general, you'll see a few
mentions of this problem associated with VNC / remote desktop control.
 
This problem is associated with either an active session as host with VNC,
or many tablet PC owners seem to see this without VNC being present.
 
Howdy; I have the same multiple icon problem but it's
new; it did not happen prior to my changing processors
from an Intel P4 without, to a P4 with, hyper threading.
I ran MAS for a few weeks with the prior 'normal' processor
and never saw the problem. Last night, as I finished the
install of the 'hyper threading processor the problem
started appearing. Right now I have four of those targets
in the tray. Could be that the software simply isn't multi-
processor proof, because that's what hyper threading
does, it simulates a two processor installation. Therefore
(my guess at least) is that it's a simple (!) reentrancy problem.

bov
 
Hmm - I've got it running on hyperthreading machines, and I don't believe
I've seen this with any consistency. Interesting idea, though--and
something that I beleive will get fixed by beta2, if there's any real basis.
 
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