I installed Linux Lite yesterday, and I've already managed to "break" my taskbar

[Peter Van Horn IV]

I was trying to customize my taskbar and now it is shifted all the way to the left side, including my clock and battery percentage.  I tried to look up info online and only got answers that didn't help.  I got answers like: "use a separator" or "make sure automatically increase length is selected".  Those answers make sense, but I already have all that stuff set.

for example:
-I do have a separator set up just before the clock (to the the left of the battery area)
    (no matter where I put the separator, it doesn't help)
-I do have "automatically increase length selected in panel options (turning it on or off doesn't help)

ps- in the past when I had issues like this, I'd just reinstall the entire OS, but I'd very much like to make this work without a flippin' reinstall.  Just about every linux distro i've tried before gives me all kinds of problems like this, or something else.  I'm trying to set up this computer for a friend, but am now wondering if that's a good idea, if it breaks on me day one.

Thanks

Edit- I fixed it.  I just needed to try everything under the sun, but it now works.  I wish that things like this were more clear on how to use it on Linux distros

[mdiemer]

First, this is a great example of why you need to make a restore point as soon as you install and do the first round of updates. Then you can just do a system restore to take it back to baseline. (Check to see if one was already made. I have Lite 3.8, and the restore app is different than 4.x. In 3.8 it's called Systemback, but in 4.x I think it's called timeshift.

You can fix the panel by right-clicking on it, choosing Panel Preferences, and then using the grid to customize it.

You can also delete the messed-up panel and then create o new one. Just hit the - sign next Panel 1, at the top of the grid. Then hit the + sign. A new panel will be created, which you can then customize.

You can move items by right-clicking them and then dragging them.

you can add icons to the panel by right-clicking them in the start menu and choosing "add to panel." Also, check out the settings options, there are ways to deal with the panel there as well.

[Peter Van Horn IV]

Ok thanks, I got it worked out. I appreciate it

[valtam]

I wish that things like this were more clear on how to use it on Linux distros

It is on ours, we have a section dedicated to Taskbar in our Help Manual. Don't forget to set a restore point after a fresh install.