This is my issue: Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 3; Pentium 4 @
2.0GHz; 256MB RDRAM

When I boot the computer, all of the icons that I require
appear in the notification area ("system tray"). There's no problem there
(in the beginning). After
using the computer for about an hour or so (or less time sometimes), some of
the icons disappear from
the notification area, and go into "hide" mode.

Now, I have set the "Properties" (by right-clicking on the taskbar) of
these icons to "always show." So, I would assume that the icons that I have
set to "always show" will do just that. But, that is not the case.

For whatever reason, some programs in the notification area have had their
property settings changed. I.e., when I right-click on the task bar to look
at the "Properties" settings that I have originally customized for the
icons, the settings
have changed from "always show" to "hide when inactive." (The only way to
see them is to click on the circle icon to the left of the notification
area.)

This only happens with some of the icons at any given time. But the problem
has happened to all the icons (in any random order) in the notification area
at one time or another. I have checked for virus problems, but have found
none.

Does anyone know why this is happening? Thanks, so much, for your help in
this matter.

P.S. - I recently disabled the SSDP Discovery Service and the Universal Plug
and Play Device Host Service. Waiting to see if that helps.
--
Wade Terry