Mixer May Not Be Loaded After Warm Reboot with WDM Audio Drivers (264297)

SYMPTOMS

Occasionally, the Volume Control tool may not be loaded after you restart your computer. When this occurs, the Volume Control icon does not appear in the system tray portion of the taskbar, and you may not be able to start the Volume Control tool from Control Panel. Sounds are still played successfully, but you cannot adjust the volume.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if all of the following conditions exist:

The sound card (audio device) in your computer uses a Windows Driver Model (WDM) audio driver.
You restart your computer by performing a "warm" reboot (you restart your computer without powering it off).
Usually, but not necessarily, you are running a non-English (for example, Korean) version of Windows 98 Second Edition.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem:

Obtain and install the hotfix that is documented in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
242937 Windows Driver Model Audio Update for Windows 98 Second Edition
This hotfix significantly reduces the frequency with which this problem occurs, and in some cases completely resolves the problem.
If possible, disable or uninstall any third-party programs that add icons to the system tray portion of the taskbar.
If the problem occurs again, shut down your computer and turn the power off. Then, turn it on again.

MORE INFORMATION

This problem tends to occur more frequently if you are running a program that displays an icon (or hooks into) the system tray portion of the taskbar. If you are not running such a third-party program, the workaround described in the "Workaround" section of this article should resolve the problem.