Volume control on task bar

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gordon
  • Start date Start date
G

Gordon

The volume control on my computer's task bar has vanished and I
can't figure out how to restore it. I'm talking about the small
speaker icon that was located at the right hand end of my task
bar. It was there and fully functional a few days ago but seems
to have been deleted entirely.

When I open Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices, then select
the Volume Tab I see a small checkbox with the text; Place Volume
Icon on the task bar. When I check this checkbox I get an error
message; Windows cannot display the volume control on the task
bar because the volume control has not been installed. To install
it, use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

I've tried everything I can think of in so much as installing the
volume control with the Add/Remove Programs function in Control
Panel. There is no explicit mentioning of the volume control, but
seems to want me to place a CD in the CD drive then tell it which
program to install. I blank out here...which CD, and which
program or whatever on this CD?

Incidentally, my computer's sound system works normally for
things like MIDI files playing through the SB Live Wave Device.
Also, in Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices - Sounds Tab,
all the computer function sounds are working.

What killed my Volume Control and how may I restore it? I use
Pizzicato Arpege Music software to compose music scores, and have
always played these through the computer sound system, but this
is not available now and the music software is silent.

Thanks for any leads or insights, Gordon
 
The volume control on my computer's task bar has vanished and I
can't figure out how to restore it.
Click to expand...

Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Volume
Tick - Place volume icon in the taskbar
 
Gordon said:
The volume control on my computer's task bar has vanished and I
can't figure out how to restore it. I'm talking about the small
speaker icon that was located at the right hand end of my task
bar. It was there and fully functional a few days ago but seems
to have been deleted entirely.

When I open Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices, then select
the Volume Tab I see a small checkbox with the text; Place Volume
Icon on the task bar. When I check this checkbox I get an error
message; Windows cannot display the volume control on the task
bar because the volume control has not been installed. To install
it, use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

I've tried everything I can think of in so much as installing the
volume control with the Add/Remove Programs function in Control
Panel. There is no explicit mentioning of the volume control, but
seems to want me to place a CD in the CD drive then tell it which
program to install. I blank out here...which CD, and which
program or whatever on this CD?

Incidentally, my computer's sound system works normally for
things like MIDI files playing through the SB Live Wave Device.
Also, in Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices - Sounds Tab,
all the computer function sounds are working.

What killed my Volume Control and how may I restore it? I use
Pizzicato Arpege Music software to compose music scores, and have
always played these through the computer sound system, but this
is not available now and the music software is silent.

Thanks for any leads or insights, Gordon
Click to expand...
When this happens to my system I run CHKDSK /F on the drive with the OS
instaled. After reboot it comes back. If chkdsk fixes a lot of problems you
may have to repeat process to regain colume control icon. If that doesn't
fix it for you, try the add/remove programs and insert the driver CD for
your sound card.

Mike.
 
What killed my Volume Control and how may I restore it? I use
Pizzicato Arpege Music software to compose music scores, and have
always played these through the computer sound system, but this
is not available now and the music software is silent.
Click to expand...

Sorry, can't help with the missing icon, but I don't have that there
anyway.
I use VoluMouse: it runs at startup, there's no icon visible but the good
bit is that the volume is controllable with the mousewheel when the pointer
is anywhere over the taskbar/quick launch/tray.
It's very configurable (if not entirely intuitive). Worth having a shortcut
on the desktop or somewhere so that the interface is available.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/volumouse.html
 
Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Volume
Tick - Place volume icon in the taskbar
Click to expand...
Thanks, Vaidd, but I've tried this and gotten the error message
mentioned in my original post. The error message reads, "Windows
cannot display the volume control on the task bar because the
Volume Control has not been installed. To install it, use
Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel."

The volume control was installed and it was working properly
until about 3 days ago. I have no idea what uninstalled it, nor
what CD I need to put in the CD drive to re-install it.

Incidentally, I'm running Windows XP Pro, SP 2, with MS Office
2007, Adobe PhotoShop, AutoCAD and some music software on this
computer. It has been, and except for the loss of the Volume
Control it is still working well. My music software operates as
it should except that it is unable to play the music as it has in
the past. I can save my music files to a MIDI format, then play
these with Windows Media Player, but this doesn't let me view the
music note sequence as I can in my music software.

Thanks, Gordon
 
Sorry, can't help with the missing icon, but I don't have that there
anyway.
I use VoluMouse: it runs at startup, there's no icon visible but the good
bit is that the volume is controllable with the mousewheel when the pointer
is anywhere over the taskbar/quick launch/tray.
It's very configurable (if not entirely intuitive). Worth having a shortcut
on the desktop or somewhere so that the interface is available.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/volumouse.html
Click to expand...
Thanks, Peter. I may have to go this way, but I liked the
original Volume Control and would like to simply restore it to
the way it was working until about 3 days ago.

I'm not sure my Pizzicato Arpege music software would work with
the VoluMouse setup, but if I can't get back to square one, I
will try it.

Does your signature block imply that Newton's third law of motion
is limited to billiards and bowling ball mechanics? Just curious!
 
Gordon said:
Thanks, Vaidd, but I've tried this and gotten the error message
mentioned in my original post. The error message reads, "Windows
cannot display the volume control on the task bar because the
Volume Control has not been installed. To install it, use
Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel."
Click to expand...

That begs the question. Have you tried that?
The volume control was installed and it was working properly
until about 3 days ago. I have no idea what uninstalled it, nor
what CD I need to put in the CD drive to re-install it.
Click to expand...

Are you trying to say that a CD is required by Add/Remove Programs?
Incidentally, I'm running Windows XP Pro
Click to expand...

If the answer is yes, try the Windows XP CD.

Good luck.
 
That begs the question. Have you tried that?
Click to expand...
Yes, I tried this with several program CDs, hoping that the
needed .dll file or what ever, could be located but this hasn't
worked, so far.
Are you trying to say that a CD is required by Add/Remove Programs?
Click to expand...
That's the message I get when I click on the checkbox in Control
Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices - Volume tab. It makes a raucous
blooping sound and opens an error message telling me to use the
Add/Remove Programs function to re-install or otherwise enable
the Volume Control icon on the task bar.
If the answer is yes, try the Windows XP CD.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks, John, I tried, or started to try using the XP CD. I got a
warning message telling me that the XP files on the CD were older
than those on my computer's hard drive, due to on-line updates,
and the implication was that I should NOT try to re-install from
the CD.

So, I need to know which little obscure file on this CD has the
sound Volume Control .dll or whatever, so I can tell my
Add/Remove Programs where to look for the file it needs.

Gordon
 
Thanks, Vaidd, but I've tried this and gotten the error message
mentioned in my original post. The error message reads, "Windows
cannot display the volume control on the task bar because the
Volume Control has not been installed. To install it, use
Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel."

The volume control was installed and it was working properly
until about 3 days ago. I have no idea what uninstalled it, nor
what CD I need to put in the CD drive to re-install it.
Click to expand...

The CD would be the Windows XP CD. If it is a full Windows XP CD
(rather than a manufacturer's restore CD) then it should have a repair
option available if the Add/Remove cannot locate the volume control.
 
Gordon said:
Yes, I tried this with several program CDs,
Click to expand...

I have no idea why you would try several program CDs when you are
asked for the Windows XP CD.
That's the message I get when I click on the checkbox in Control
Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices - Volume tab.
Click to expand...

Ack! That's not the message you get in Sounds and Audio Devices. The
instruction I referred to is in Add/Remove Programs. You did a big
leap there IMO.
Thanks, John, I tried, or started to try using the XP CD. I got a
warning message telling me that the XP files on the CD were older
than those on my computer's hard drive, due to on-line updates,
and the implication was that I should NOT try to re-install from
the CD.
Click to expand...

Hopefully you're not talking about reinstalling Windows XP.
So, I need to know which little obscure file on this CD has the
sound Volume Control .dll or whatever, so I can tell my Add/Remove
Programs where to look for the file it needs.
Click to expand...

In the prior paragraph, you say it found the files but they were
older. Now you are saying it needs a location/path.

I don't see it explicitly stated, but I guess you're suggesting that
Add/Remove Programs specifies the DLL file it's looking for. I'm not
sure, but you might have to manually search the cab files on the
Windows XP CD in order to get a proper path.

Good luck.
 
I have no idea why you would try several program CDs when you are
asked for the Windows XP CD.
Click to expand...
You have misunderstood me. I have NOT been asked for any specific
CD. I was just guessing that maybe the error message was
referring to the XP CD.

The error message reads, "Windows cannot display the volume
control on the task bar because the Volume Control has not been
installed. To install it, use Add/Remove Programs in Control
Panel."

That's all, there is NO information as to where I can find the
necessary file or files that I need to install. I was just
guessing that maybe this was on the XP CD, but when I tried using
the XP CD I was warned not to do so because the files on the CD
were older than the files on my computer. Gordon
 
The CD would be the Windows XP CD. If it is a full Windows XP CD
(rather than a manufacturer's restore CD) then it should have a repair
option available if the Add/Remove cannot locate the volume control.
Click to expand...
Thanks, David, I was just afraid that if I continued with the
Windows XP CD it would mess up the whole OS and I would be unable
to pursue this missing volume control problem any farther.

If I can get my curate up I'll try using the Windows XP Restore
function.

Yes, this is a full Windows XP CD. That is, I bought it to
upgrade from Windows 2000. It does have to have some indication
that an upgrade is permissible. I could put the Windows 2000 CD
in the drive momentarily to satisfy this requirement.

Gordon
 
The error message reads, "Windows cannot display the volume
control on the task bar because the Volume Control has not been
installed. To install it, use Add/Remove Programs in Control
Panel."

That's all, there is NO information as to where I can find the
necessary file or files that I need to install. I was just
guessing that maybe this was on the XP CD, but when I tried using
the XP CD I was warned not to do so because the files on the CD
were older than the files on my computer. Gordon
Click to expand...

Control Panel > Add/Remove Software > Add/Remove Windows Components (on
the left side) > highlight "Accessories and Utilities" > click Details >
highlight "Multimedia" > click Details > checkmark Volume Control > click
OK, etc.
--
Michael Cecil
http://macecil.googlepages.com/index.htm
http://macecil.googlepages.com/safehex.htm
http://macecil.googlepages.com/hackingvista.htm
Chuck Norris: Afraid of NOTHING, except John McCain's 95 year-old mother
 
Gordon said:
You have misunderstood me. I have NOT been asked for any specific
CD. I was just guessing that maybe the error message was
referring to the XP CD.

The error message reads, "Windows cannot display the volume
control on the task bar because the Volume Control has not been
installed. To install it, use Add/Remove Programs in Control
Panel."

That's all, there is NO information as to where I can find the
Click to expand...

So you don't know what Control Panel is.
Yes, I misunderstood.













I > necessary file or files that I need to install. I was just
 
Gordon said:
The volume control on my computer's task bar has vanished and I
can't figure out how to restore it. I'm talking about the small
speaker icon that was located at the right hand end of my task
bar. It was there and fully functional a few days ago but seems
to have been deleted entirely.

When I open Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices, then select
the Volume Tab I see a small checkbox with the text; Place Volume
Icon on the task bar. When I check this checkbox I get an error
message; Windows cannot display the volume control on the task
bar because the volume control has not been installed. To install
it, use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

I've tried everything I can think of in so much as installing the
volume control with the Add/Remove Programs function in Control
Panel. There is no explicit mentioning of the volume control, but
seems to want me to place a CD in the CD drive then tell it which
program to install. I blank out here...which CD, and which
program or whatever on this CD?

Incidentally, my computer's sound system works normally for
things like MIDI files playing through the SB Live Wave Device.
Also, in Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices - Sounds Tab,
all the computer function sounds are working.

What killed my Volume Control and how may I restore it? I use
Pizzicato Arpege Music software to compose music scores, and have
always played these through the computer sound system, but this
is not available now and the music software is silent.

Thanks for any leads or insights, Gordon
Click to expand...
..sndvol32 is what you`re searching for.
 
Control Panel > Add/Remove Software > Add/Remove Windows Components (on
the left side) > highlight "Accessories and Utilities" > click Details >
highlight "Multimedia" > click Details > checkmark Volume Control > click
OK, etc.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Michael. I went back to Control Panel > Add or Remove
Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components, then clicked on the
"Accessories and Utilities" check box. Then I clicked the
"Details" button and got only two items on the next
screen...Accessories and Games.

I then checked the box for Accessories and clicked on the
"Details" button and got a multitude of items, but nothing that
looked like "Volume Control"

I'm thinking that this whole Volume Control function must have
been deleted when I was doing a disk defrag and general clean-up
a few days ago.

I think I should go ahead and do a re-install of Windows XP Pro,
even though I was warned not to go ahead with this because the
files on the CD were older than those on the computer. I suppose
I could then do an on-line update and restore the later version
files.

Gordon
 
Thanks, Michael. I went back to Control Panel > Add or Remove
Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components, then clicked on the
"Accessories and Utilities" check box. Then I clicked the
"Details" button and got only two items on the next
screen...Accessories and Games.

I then checked the box for Accessories and clicked on the
"Details" button and got a multitude of items, but nothing that
looked like "Volume Control"

I'm thinking that this whole Volume Control function must have
been deleted when I was doing a disk defrag and general clean-up
a few days ago.

I think I should go ahead and do a re-install of Windows XP Pro,
even though I was warned not to go ahead with this because the
files on the CD were older than those on the computer. I suppose
I could then do an on-line update and restore the later version
files.
Click to expand...

Yes, but if you're going to do that be sure to download SP2 beforehand.
You don't want to go online with an unpatched fresh XP install these days.
--
Michael Cecil
http://macecil.googlepages.com/index.htm
http://macecil.googlepages.com/safehex.htm
http://macecil.googlepages.com/hackingvista.htm
Chuck Norris: Afraid of NOTHING, except John McCain's 95 year-old mother
 
.sndvol32 is what you`re searching for.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Meerkat. I looked and found the file SHDVOL32.EX_ on
my Windows XP CD and also in the Windows\I386 folder on my hard
drive. But, since this isn't a regular .exe file I can't run it
as a separate program. I think this .ex_ designation means that
it has to be run by the install program or some such.

I'm about ready to give up on this and buy a VISTA upgrade then
install it and see if this would correct the problem.

Is there any chance that removing the sound card then booting, to
let the computer clear the record of the old sound setup, then
re-install the sound card and see if it Windows XP would find it
and set it up properly? Might be worth a try. I sure haven't much
to lose. Gordon
 
Gordon said:
[snip]

I'm about ready to give up on this and buy a VISTA upgrade then
install it and see if this would correct the problem.
Click to expand...

You're asking for a lot more problems if you install Vista, from most of
the feedback concerning the OS.
Is there any chance that removing the sound card then booting, to
let the computer clear the record of the old sound setup, then
re-install the sound card and see if it Windows XP would find it
and set it up properly? Might be worth a try. I sure haven't much
to lose. Gordon
Click to expand...

That's what I would do. Uninstall the sound card software, the card
itself (through Control Panel, remove software, then Device Manager,
Uninstall), then restart with the driver CD for the sound card in the CD
drive. Windows should "find new hardware" with a dialog box asking
about drivers. Steer it to the CD and allow it to install the sound
card. Or, the CD may have a startup menu you can use to install. It's
certainly worth a try and has a good chance of working.
 
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