Task bar sound icon must be restored via the Sound and Audio devices panel on each start up. Anyone have a clue of how to restore this permanently to the task bar?

I had a problem similar to that once and it turned out to be the wrong driver file was installed.

Opendedo, Go to the link below and under the letter "V" scroll down to "Volume Control - The volume icon does not appear in the notification area (system tray)" where you'll find some possible solutions. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_... Tufenuf

Try un-installing the sound drivers and then re-installing them. Make sure you use the right sound driver version. If the sound chipset is built into the mboard, the right driver version is on the CD that came with the mboard if you have that, or on the mboard manufacturer's web site in the downloads for your exact model. Some mboards may have either an AC97 codec (a very tiny chip or it's built into one of the main chipset chips) , or an optional better sound chipset (a separate, often larger, chip). If you're not sure which it has, look at the labelling on the chips that might be for sound - they are often in the neighbourhood of where the sound ports are. e.g. SoundMax (ADI) drivers in particular have many different versions, applicable to many different chipsets - if you get them randomly from the web, they may not work properly, or at all. Make sure you install the sound drivers the right way. This applies to SoundMax drivers, but similar applies to all sound drivers, and drivers for many other devices: "How do I install audio drivers? There are two ways to install the audio driver software for your computer. Best Install Method: Run the Setup Program The most effective method to install the driver software for your computer is to run the "Setup" program that comes with the driver software. Not the Best Install Method: Let Windows Find It If the audio driver software for your computer is not installed, Windows may find it and attempt to find the driver software. If you install the software using this method: You won't get any additional SoundMAX features if they are provided in the driver software. Windows might not actually find the driver software. You won't be able to use the Add/Remove Programs feature in the control panel to remove the driver software later on. " .... On the other hand, if you have an Intel 810 or 815 series motherboard chipset with the AC97 codec, I have had the same trouble as you are having, even with the right sound drivers.

Thanks for the replys Othehill(me too)!Tufenuf and Tubesandwires. It took the motherboard setup disk to correct the problem it appears. I have closed and restarted several times and the icon remains there. So, Thanks again for the responses.