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: 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
279435 HOW TO: Display the Volume Icon in the Notification Area in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/279435/EN-US/?FR=1

310578 Windows System Tray Icons
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310578/EN-US/?FR=1

307918 HOW TO: Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307918/EN-US/?FR=1