Right-click on the Taskbar and review the available options.

Also, is there the possibility that the viewing area is there but just collapsed? Look closely at the area and see if a nearly invisible vertical line is present. If so, drag this line left.

DA

I have been through the options and think I have tried all of them. There is no other faint line for me to move. I only wish the viewing area were just collapsed, but thanks, DA.

Steve

Right click on the start button then click Properties and have a looksee on the various tabs.

Not running XP so cannot advise what you will see but a look around might bring up something for you.

I'd also consider doing a System Restore.

No luck, owbist, but then, I may not really know what I'm looking for. Certainly, I have trid all the options under Properties.
Thanks,
Steve

Zep, I may have to do that although I'm reluctant to do so because my daughter has just finished a whole lot of picture editing, etc, but...
Thanks,
Steve

maybe...

Control Panel
Sounds and Audio Devices
xp has a check box there for the volume control icon

Safely remove USB hardware icon missing from taskbar...

Here is a link that might be useful: Safely remove USB hardware icon missing from taskbar

Mikie,
I went there, and it was alreasy checked, so I unchecked it, applied the change, closed, re-opened and checked it again. Voila! The icon has returned.
Went through the RUN program you linked to, and with a little fiddling, everything is normal.
Whew!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Isn't this forum wonderful? I only wish I could answer as many of your questions as you do mine, but then I answer many in the Rose forums, so maybe it all works out.
Steve

I have that problem every once in a while, except only for the Volume, the Safely Add/Remove is always there. I Googled and found the solution Mikie mentioned, for the Volume.

It works, for a while, then the V button is gone again. System Restore always said no changes had been made. I've found that rather than going through the Options, a cold reboot will usually work.

About the Safely A/R button: does anyone ever use it?

DA, I remember from 'way back when there was a thread about that Invisible line. I think I found it then, but never have since then.

Computers . . . aren't they fun?

When you are having a bad day, try this link. I guarantee you will have a smile on your face, or maybe even LOL! Do get the large screen and have the Volume on; if yours is working.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Run, Rabbit, Run

Well, they disappeared when I started the computer again, so I've made a desktop icon with the path to the A/R window. We'll leave the volume icon out of the picture for the moment since I have an external volume control on the speakers.
Yes, Sue, aren't computers fun,
Steve

Did the phantom user make some adjustments to your Startup configuration? Perhaps using msconfig or WinPatrol? This could effect their loading and displaying.

DA

DA,
The 'phantom user' mucking about with the Startup config. would be me. None of my girls know enough to mess around with that (but a little knowledge...).
I just checked this PC's Startup (another in the house), and it has as little opening on boot up as the other, but maybe I'll enable a bunch of the possibilities on the other and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion.
Steve

Should you decide to try System Restore...it only restores software and hardware changes and will leave your photos and documents intact. You can also reverse a system restore if the outcome is unfavorable.