Another way to try is to start VFP9.exe with -A flag which will prevent VFP from reading the registry and configuration files.
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>I will give that a try when I get home tonight.
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>>In the RegEdit goto the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\VisualFoxPro\9.0\Options key and blank out Data for Value Name '_STARTUP'. It will prevent Task Pane from starting when VFP start.