Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area, and you may receive an error message when you try to add it

Method 1: Add the Volume icon

To add the Volume icon to the notification area of your computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Copy and paste or type the following command in the Open box, and then click OK:
   mmsys.cpl
3. Click to select the Place volume icon in the taskbar check box.
4. Click OK.

If the Volume icon is displayed in the notification area of your computer, you are finished. If you cannot add the Volume icon or if you receive an error message when you try to add it, the Sndvol32.exe file might be damaged or missing. Go to method 2.

Method 2: Save a new copy of the Sndvol32.exe file on your hard disk

If the Sndvol32.exe file is damaged or missing, you must extract a new copy of the Sndvol32.exe file from the Windows XP CD and save it on your computer's hard disk.

Prerequisites

This method requires you to have your Windows XP installation CD.

Note If you do not have access to the Windows XP CD that contains the installation files, ask the network administrator for help if the computer is at your workplace, or contact Support. To contact Microsoft Support, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/ (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/)

To extract a copy of the Sndvol32.exe file from the Windows XP CD and save it on your computer’s hard disk, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD drive or DVD drive. Press and hold the SHIFT key as you insert the CD to prevent it from starting automatically.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. Copy and paste or type the following command in the Open box, and then click OK:
   cmd
   The command prompt opens.
4. Type the drive letter of the CD drive or DVD drive, type a colon, and then press ENTER. For example, if your computer’s CD drive is drive E, type the following, and then press ENTER:
   e:
5. Copy and paste or type the following, and then press ENTER:
   cd i386
6. Copy and paste or type the following, and then press ENTER:
   expand sndvol32.ex_ system_root\system32\sndvol32.exe
   Note system_root is the path and folder name where the Windows system files are located on your computer. This is usually C:\Windows. If the folder that contains the Windows system files on your computer is C:\Windows, type the following, and then press ENTER:
   expand sndvol32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe
   Note There is a space between "ex_" and "c:\windows" in this command.
7. Type exit to exit the command prompt, and then press ENTER.
8. Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is displayed in the notification area (if you selected this option in method 1).

If the Volume icon is displayed in the notification area, you are finished. If the Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area, go to the "Next steps" section.