I have Win 7 64 bit

I can run the GUI OK, but only if it is not in the startup folder.  It starts if I start it from the startmenu.  If I try to minimize the GIU, it goes away forever.  The program is still running per the processes list in the Task Manater.  However, the only way I can get the GUI window back is to reboot and then restart the GUI.

the debug.log has lots of entries, I think they are normal and indicate that the program is working.

below are the last few lines from debug.log, in case you are interested
Any hints on how to make GUI work better?
 

(from debug.log)

IRC got new address
IRC got join
IRC got join
IRC got join
IRC got join
IRC got join
received: addr (31 bytes)
sending: addr (31 bytes)
sending: addr (31 bytes)

It is called the notification area  (and it's sometimes also called "the tray")

guyfromblaine, if you're not sure what we're talking about, check this screenshot:


You want to double click on the gold coin icon there to bring Bitcoin back. By the way, if you don't like this behavior (i.e., Bitcoin hiding in the tray), you can disable it. In the GUI, go to Settings->Options. Then uncheck "Minimize to the tray instead of the taskbar".