Why can't I see my XP Audio Icon?

Hi, I have gone into control panel and made sure that I have checked the box to show the sound icon in the system tray.Even after this sometimes it is there sometimes it is not.Even after a restart sometimes it is there and sometimes it is not. I am using Windows xp. If you have any ideas please let me know.

Thanks in advance for your help

This question was answered on December 16, 2002. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

I've had a similar problem.

First, I'm assuming you're logging on with the same user account each time Settings between user accounts can turn items like this on and off.

Turned out, in my case, to be the software that came with my sound card Somehow, it keeps jockeying for position with the Windows Speaker icon

The only way to really get rid of the problem was to uninstall the software, then reinstall my sound card drivers, this time, being careful not to reinstall accompanying software I did not really want.

Any program which insists on putting Icons in your system tray is a good candidate for taming Keep an eye open for such behavior, then disable the icon if possible Reinstallation or elimination of the program may be in order That tray is mine, darn it, and I only want in there what I really have to have Too many programs consider it advertising space and cause a lot of problems

BTW, be sure the tray is open wide enough to actually see all your icons.

Go into the task manager and see if shutting down a service or two which seem to point to the problem make your icon come back, but don't expect a lot of definitive information from this Arcane naming conventions are the rule, not the exception.

Next, be on the lookout for programs like RealAudio and the like

When installing RealAudio, uncheck every possible check-box Then when the install program promises, to "complete installation" and begins nosing around for your name, close it completely RealAudio has by this time actually been installed and is functional.

I'm afraid, in so many cases like this, the only solution is start stripping away potentially offending services and programs until functionality is restored.

By the way, I am also assuming you have been running virus checks Ya just never know, these days.

RG

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Posted by Robert of Mesa Community College on December 16, 2002

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