Thanks, Bob. I do see dots - but not near the notification area. It's in the quick launch area and task bar (which shows I have firefox opened) - just to the right of the start menu. So thanks to you instructions, I was able to drag it all back to the bottom. Good to know that keep task bar on top means showing. Now I'm down to just one problem. the notification icons are displaying in three rows. These rows are taking up 2 regular sized bars. I can get the start, firefox open browser tab and quick launch icons on the top line - but I can't make the bottom line disappear because the notifcation icons are taking up 3 small rows. There are no dots there - and I can't find a way to collapse them into a single line. Also - interestingly, the whole reason i started this venture was to get the safely remove hardware icon back. Even though I went to properties - and selected customize, and always show safely remove hardware icon, the icon is still not showing. And the clock is now displaying on three lines as well. Thanks. Lynn.

Raven, in a previous thread the OP claimed that he/she was using Windows XP and that this same computer did not have Internet Explorer on it. I was unable to get clarification on this point, nor was I able to find out if this same computer has been upgraded to Service Pack 3 or if it is receiving regular Windows Updates. I suspect that it has NOT been upgraded and is NOT receiving updates. I would love to be proven wrong on all these points if only the OP would provide the info. Perhaps you can get the OP to answer. If in fact it turns out that I am correct, then Raven I humbly submit that your laudable efforts to help the OP are being ignored in whole or in part. SP3 was released over 4 years ago, and if this computer doesn't have it and the updates that followed then the OP has left it wide open to numerous security flaws. Even if I am wrong about SP3 and the updates, I am not filled with confidence when I read that the OP got rid of funmoods by saying "Actually I have no problem with Funmoods, I deleted it from my control panel when it first popped up and haven't seen it since." This says to me that either the OP really has no idea what he/she is doing, or that the OP is totally unable/unwilling to communicate what he/she did do. I will read with interest how this comedy of errors continues to play out. I think the OP needs to do much more than just ask for help over the Internet. Here is a link that might be useful: previous thread

When I started using Houzz I was amazed at how accurate the results of my searches were (in addition to the size of the photos database). It was a great resource. More recently when I've prepared to undertake projects, I've noticed that I just don't get the same, accurate results. My searches are riddled with results that just aren't pertinent. I think this is due to the incorporation of advertisers from my city and surrounding areas (contractors, builders, and others). There are enough ads (or results that are somehow influenced by someone who has something to sell) now to really hinder the flow of design ideas. I guess many internet sites end up using advertisers but it morphs the user experience. It's really made using Houzz less fruitful.

Tamara- Too many results wasn't the issue-I only got 2 results. It appears the search only looks in the body of the text and doesn't find one's user name unless its in the body of the text. This was the thread I was looking for which mentioned turtlehead. Searching on tsugajunkie turtlehead (stop laughing) will not find it because my user name isn't in the text. GW used to be able to find it. tj