Are you sure you are running the correct version of the program?
There is a different version for models prior to the 1550 such as 1530
and 1520.

If you are running the correct version, the status bar will be removed
on startup.

If, while running GNII, some other application is started by pressing
a function key, etc., the status bar will also display. To get rid of
this, just "restart" GNII by using the start menu.

-Tom