Volume Icon Is Not Displayed in the Notification Area, and You Receive an Error Message When You Try to Add It (319095)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q319095

SYMPTOMS

On a Windows XP-based computer, you may experience one or both of the following behaviors:
  • The Volume icon is no longer displayed in the notification area at the far right of the taskbar.
  • When you try to add the volume control icon to the notification area (in the Sounds and Audio Devices utility in Control Panel, click to select the Place volume icon in the taskbar check box on the Volume tab), you receive the following error message:
    Windows cannot display the volume control on the taskbar because the Volume Control program has not been installed. To install it use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.
As a result, you cannot start the Volume Control program and adjust the volume and sound level settings of your computer.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Sndvol32.exe file is damaged or missing.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, extract a new copy of Sndvol32.exe from the Windows XP compact disc to the system_root\System32 folder on your computer's hard disk. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Press and hold down the SHIFT key as you insert the CD-ROM to prevent it from starting automatically.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
  4. Type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after each line, where CD-ROM drive is the drive letter of the computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP CD-ROM, and system_root is the path and folder name where the Windows system files are located (generally C:\Windows):

    CD-ROM drive:
    cd i386
    expand sndvol32.ex_ system_root\system32\sndvol32.exe



    Note that there is a space between "ex_" and "system_root" in this command.

    For example, if your computer's CD-ROM drive is drive E, and the folder that contains the Windows system files is C:\Windows, type the following lines at the command prompt (pressing ENTER after each line):

    e:
    cd i386
    expand sndvol32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe

  5. Type exit to quit the command prompt.
  6. Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is displayed in the notification area (if you selected this option).

MORE INFORMATION

By default, the Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area in Windows XP.

For additional information about how to display the volume control icon in the notification area, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

279435 HOW TO: Display the Volume Icon in the Notification Area in Windows

For additional information about icons that are displayed in the notification area, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

310578 Windows System Tray Icons

For additional information about how to troubleshoot sound problems, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

307918 HOW TO: Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/23/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB319095
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