running program buttons not on taskbar

This can be the Friend Greeting virus

An effect of one of the components of this application results in minimized Windows and applications being hidden from the taskbar.

http://tinyurl.com/2ghm

http://tinyurl.com/2qn3

http://tinyurl.com/2m5o

If you have the programs you want on the taskbar on your desktop--R click and drag each one you want to the taskbar, then check (want to copy). This will put them on the taskbar.

I had the same problem with Win95. I found it to be the Friend Greetings virus just as answer #1 indicates. My virus scan is current and did not pick up any viruses either. But, as per link #2 above (those seemed the clearest instructions on removal), it worked to get my programs back onto the taskbar!

http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_99760.htm

Check your Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and check for any "Friendly Greetings" or email card software. I had a user that was having this problem, and this was the cause.
Another issue could be Text Bridge OCR program running in the background.

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