Here you go Jane, a quick fix from eHow

Thanks Owbist. We tried tried all the steps with no success. We stopped at the CD instructions as we can't find the CD and he decided he could live without the icon. He has a low 'frustration level.' By that point he was sick of the computer.

When he decides to move ahead, we'll take it from there.

Jane

Hi jane,

See if this will help:

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.

Let us know if that helps.

Also, you said XP2. Did you mean XP SP2? If so, you really should install SP3 in order to receive all the necessary Security Updates. You may also want to run some cleaners to clean out the Temp. files, etc. that may be slowing it down. It may even have a few infections on it so I would also run Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware not to mention disk clean and defragging. May help it run faster and smoother.

Let us know if you'd like the links and instructions for the above.

Donna

you can also go to control panel/sound and audio devices properties...volume tab and put a tick in "place volume control in the taskbar"

Thanks Donna, I'll try that when I get home. Sorry, I do have XP3.
Jean, I have tried all the usual ways with no result. I get a message to insert the CD.

I'll give Donna's idea a try. I don't think we tried that yet. Hubby's computer and he has no patience for any of this. Keeps getting up and down to control the volume from the speakers and I can hear him cursing the computer each time.

Jane

Hi jane,

The instructions that jean gave will do the same thing. Just a less technical way to get to where I was sending you to. I'm just used to my Run Box commands. But her way may be shorter and less stressful. Up to you either way will work!

Message to insert CD??? That sounds like the sndvol32.exe is missing! You will need an XP installation CD to replace that file.

See the link below and read under the Comments further down the page.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to recover the volume or sound icon to your Windows taskbar

Article ID: 319095 - Microsoft;
Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area, and you may receive an error message when you try to add it.
!~~

Sounds like his c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe is what offers up the tray icon/control ... assuming its damaged if its asking for the cd.... pretty easy for you to simply copy that file from any other xp computer and place in same folder you find it in. See if that fixes the problem.

There is a thread about your problem here. The third post has the sndvol32.exe file so you can download it if you need to.