I keep the desktop toolbar on the taskbar and I had the same problems as everyone 
else. After reading all these posts and trying everything, here is what worked for 
me. 
I have included specific instructions for those not used to editing their registry. 
I rebooted my system several times before posting, and it's worked for me on XP Pro. 
I have not tried it on my XP Home system yet. I apologize for the length, but it 
is thorough.

Step 1:
Use Regedit (Go to Start then Run, type regedit and click ok) When it opens, there 
are 2 colums. In the left column - click the plus signs next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
and then scroll down and click the plus sign next to each folder in the following 
list: 
Software
Microsoft
Windows
CurrentVersion
Policies
Explorer

Then look in the right column and you will see a lines of text with headings on the 
top that say Name, Type and Data.

Find the one that says NoSaveSettings.

Double click in the name colum on NoSaveSetting.
Another window will open that says Value Name and Value Data. 

In the Value Data box type 00 (zero's not o's) and click OK.

The NoSaveSettings will now have 00,00,00,00 OR 0x00000000 (0) in the Data column. 

Immediately, before you close anything, or click on anything else - go to the top 
of the window and click File (up in the bar at the top of the window) and then click 
export. 

A window will open.
The top line will say Save In, make sure you either navagate by using the browse 
button, to a location like Desktop or My Documents that you can easily find again 
OR be certain you write down the folder it is saving it in.

At the bottom of that window it will say File Name, name the file something you can 
remember like Icon Placement.

In the section at the bottom that says Export Range, leave the dot in the circle 
next to Selected Branch"
When you're all done, click save.

Close the Registry Editor

Step 2:
Go to the Icon Placement file you saved in Step 1 and double click on it.

A window will open that asks if you want to add the information to the registry, 
click Yes. 
Another window may open after that (Sorry, I forget if it does), if so, click Yes 
or OK.

Step 3:
Restart your computer.

Step 4:
Re-arrange your icons.

Step 5:
Restart your computer (yes, again... sorry!)

Step 6:
Do NOT use the Lock Task Bar option.

Step 7:
Be happy! You have tamed the wild Microsoft Rampant ReArrange Monster!

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