In lower right of the status bar there is an icon that tells me it is safe to remove hardware. Right now it is annoying. It occurred after I finally had the courage to try a new 250gb/16mb SATA drive alongside my older IDE stuff. I can't find the secret key to remove the icon I am not sure what would happen if I clicked it?? Have re-booted many times but.....Regards,Dick BoleyA PC, an LCD, speakers, CH yoke - all old

You'll have that icon if you have something attached, usually a USB hub or digital camera etc...I have it all the time, because I have a hub attached. Why is it annoying?

If you click on it you will be asked what device you want to unplug. No big deal. Auto hide your task bar, and you'll never see it. Right click task bar/properties/check auto-hide.Bob

I clicked on it and it references my new 250gb SATA drive. I have always enjoyed the use of the quick launch and the tray tools icons for rapid switching to a variety of functions that help me to enjoy the several things I do on the PC. It is probably a "live with it" until XP once again needs to be reinstalled.It is annoying because it is.Regards,Dick BoleyA PC, an LCD, speakers, CH yoke

I don't think it's going away no matter how many times you reinstall. It is part of windows. If you auto hide task bar, it pops up whenever you roll your mouse over the bottom of the screen. Gives you all your screen, and the taskbar only when you need it. You can do the same with all the stuff at the top of your browser, too.Bob

Thanks - It must be a "feature" of XP. At least there was no charge. I use the AutoHide function so it is no big deal. Its disappearance is low on the wish list. Other than that - back to doing some beta testing of hi-res Utah photo-scenery.Regards,Dick BoleyA PC, an LCD, speakers, CH yoke