Hi!
My system tray just doesnt show what it should and it's not consistent either: it shows what it likes to show, likely to change at every boot? Whassa matta?

right click > start > properties > task bar > customise

here you can choose which icons show always; when in use; or never;

click hide inactive icons before you leave.

click the < on the task bar to see hidden icons.

sometimes installing new programs might mess things up & you might have to re-set.

if programs are starting that you don't want starting go to >start >run: type in msconfig -go to start-up and deselect the programs that you don't want to start.

any help?

Thanks for trying to help me Jephree.
I tried already many times what you suggested in different ways, which means using "hide inactive icons" on and using "hide inactive icons" first and then turning it off, boot in between.
And listen: I had an illegal WinXP Pro, not a pirate but unactivated, in my machine which worked all right but when I stopped getting online upgrades, I purchased this one, Home Edition. It is slower and does tricks like this. In the tumult I also moved over to NTFS which I now regret, I have always had suspicions about that one.

ok... so I wonder did you uninstall the Pro before going Home?
Did you do a clean install?
I wonder why you don't like NTFS?

Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP

Here is a link to Partition Magic 8 which is capable of changing to FAT32:
Partition Magic 8

Plus here is a good overall site for XP, especially installs and fixes:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/index.html

Maybe re-install your new Home?