Volume Control missing from systray

[Autumn]

After "Cleaning up" a few weeks ago, my volume control is now missing from my systray.

Also, the Mute and +/- Volume controls on my keyboard are not working.

I use Incredimail and when I load the program, a female calls out "Welcome", I use to just press Mute on the keyboard and I couldn't hear her, but I can't do this now.

My questions:-

How can I get my Volume Control back into my systray? Under Sounds and Audio Devices Properties, "Place Volume icon on taskbar" is checked. I can't see it on the taskbar and neither is it in the systray.

If the Volume Control were back in my systray, would my keyboard buttons automatically control the sound if I pressed them or does the keyboard need to be activated (programmed) separately?

Is it possible to disable the sound within Incredimail? I have had a look and can't see any method of disabling it?

I look forward to your comments.

PS I have just checked my keyboard and none of the buttons are working. I think the "Computer Clean up" must have wiped all these out as well. So that is another question.

How do I program my keyboard to get all the button working again? There aren't so many, just "Media, Play/Pause, Mute, Volume, Favorites, E-Mail and www.

[Tinka]

After "Cleaning up" a few weeks ago, my volume control is now missing from my systray.

Also, the Mute and +/- Volume controls on my keyboard are not working.

I use Incredimail and when I load the program, a female calls out "Welcome", I use to just press Mute on the keyboard and I couldn't hear her, but I can't do this now.

My questions:-

How can I get my Volume Control back into my systray? Under Sounds and Audio Devices Properties, "Place Volume icon on taskbar" is checked. I can't see it on the taskbar and neither is it in the systray.

If the Volume Control were back in my systray, would my keyboard buttons automatically control the sound if I pressed them or does the keyboard need to be activated (programmed) separately?

Is it possible to disable the sound within Incredimail? I have had a look and can't see any method of disabling it?

I look forward to your comments.

PS I have just checked my keyboard and none of the buttons are working. I think the "Computer Clean up" must have wiped all these out as well. So that is another question.

How do I program my keyboard to get all the button working again? There aren't so many, just "Media, Play/Pause, Mute, Volume, Favorites, E-Mail and www.

Hi Autumn,
Just found your post, if you are useing Windows XP just restore your computer to an earlier time when you know all was working properly. if you are useing an earlier windows version such as win 98 you can re-install windows over itself without loosing your progs and files etc: however it is adviseable to back up all important files anyway. I also know a number of people who will not use incredimail again as it caused problems on their systems, and others who have not had problems with it. Are you useing a program such as CCleaner or regedit to clean up your computer? if so these are very powerful progs and can do a good job but you must still know what you are doing and read the initial scan to avoid deleteing files that are needed.
Hopefully rolling back XP will cure the problems. Good Luck.

[Autumn]

Hi Autumn,
Just found your post, if you are useing Windows XP just restore your computer to an earlier time when you know all was working properly. if you are useing an earlier windows version such as win 98 you can re-install windows over itself without loosing your progs and files etc: however it is adviseable to back up all important files anyway. I also know a number of people who will not use incredimail again as it caused problems on their systems, and others who have not had problems with it. Are you useing a program such as CCleaner or regedit to clean up your computer? if so these are very powerful progs and can do a good job but you must still know what you are doing and read the initial scan to avoid deleteing files that are needed.
Hopefully rolling back XP will cure the problems. Good Luck.

Hi Tinka

No I haven't managed to get it right yet. The computer has been like it for a few weeks now, ever since (I think) I did a clean up. I believe I did use regedit. At the time I was having a problem with my A/V sigs anyway George helped me to sort all that out.

At the time I first noticed my volume control missing, it was before I had probs with my A/V sigs and I did try a system restore to no avail.

I also have other issues with Incredimail eg:

I have "Approved mail" I wish to receive and this should go into my In Box. Unapproved mail goes in the Delete box.

DPNow Mail is Approved, but it now always goes into the Delete box. If I right click on the mail, it gives me the option to "Remove it from Approved Senders."! Its gone mad.

When I boot up my computer, I also get the following messages:-

When I click on the Icon to complete Incredimail Installation it says it is "Unable to download installation script and I am to try again later". I just keep going round in circles.

I have used Incredimail for 4-5 years and have not had a problem before.

I did wonder about uninstalling it, but I have files saved on it also all my e mail addresses and wouldn't want to lose them.

If you have any ideas, I should be pleased to hear them.

Thanks for your comments.

[Archangel]

Audrey,

Before you do anything else, try to install your sound card drivers one more time and see what happens.


George

[Autumn]

I don't know how to do that George.:(

[Archangel]

I don't know how to do that George.:(

Do you know to tell me what is your computer's configuration?
For example what is your graphics card and what is your sound card?
(For example you Graphics card might be a ATI or Nvidia and your sound card might be Soundblaster, or Realtek or Nvidia)

[Autumn]

Is it on here George?

[Archangel]

Is it on here George?

Very Good Audrey! You are a smart woman ;)
Indeed your sound card uses Realtek AC97 drivers.

Go to the following website and download the correspondent driver for your operating system (I guess windows XP).
Run the setup file and follow the procedure to install the driver. It is easy.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=23&PFid=23&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#1

George

[Tinka]

Hi Audrey,
It does sound as if you have accidently deleted some very important files and system files, If system restore did not work you could try going back even further, however if this does not work it could mean a complete system software rebuild, unless as George has suggested, you can get/download all of the drivers your system requires. I would suggest that you first of all back up to cd/dvd or external usb hard disc all your imortant files- e-mails, E-mail addresses, documents etc: That way if you do have to rebuild your system from scratch they will be safe. All your e-mail addresses etc: can be transfered from incredimail to IE or another e-mail prog.
This situation does really need someone to be at the keyboard of your computer to assess the situation accurately, however it does sound to me like a complete rebuild is the way to go, I had to do this last year because of a unresolveable problem, and the computer went like a rocket afterwards.
Try Georges suggestion first but it does sound like you have more than one driver missing, another thing you could try is find the drivers in your system folder, especially the keyboard and sound driver and try to role back the drivers/ or re-install the drivers from your system discs that came with your computer. Just right click on the driver and select properties then choose roll back driver or update driver and follow the instructions, IE automatic or select choose where to find drivers and point to your cd drive. try auto first.
Hope this is of some help, good luck.

[Autumn]

Very Good Audrey! You are a smart woman ;)
Indeed your sound card uses Realtek AC97 drivers.

Go to the following website and download the correspondent driver for your operating system (I guess windows XP).
Run the setup file and follow the procedure to install the driver. It is easy.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=23&PFid=23&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#1

George

Thanks for your help George. Well that did work and the Volume Control returned to the systray. It vanished during yesterday, so I did a system restore and it came back again. I have just looked again and it's gone again! May be it will return when I reboot tomorrow.

I keep meaning to get out my software for the keyboard and mouse and see if that activates the keys again. If not I will just have to manage.

[Autumn]

Hi Audrey,
It does sound as if you have accidently deleted some very important files and system files, If system restore did not work you could try going back even further, however if this does not work it could mean a complete system software rebuild, unless as George has suggested, you can get/download all of the drivers your system requires. I would suggest that you first of all back up to cd/dvd or external usb hard disc all your imortant files- e-mails, E-mail addresses, documents etc: That way if you do have to rebuild your system from scratch they will be safe. All your e-mail addresses etc: can be transfered from incredimail to IE or another e-mail prog.
This situation does really need someone to be at the keyboard of your computer to assess the situation accurately, however it does sound to me like a complete rebuild is the way to go, I had to do this last year because of a unresolveable problem, and the computer went like a rocket afterwards.
Try Georges suggestion first but it does sound like you have more than one driver missing, another thing you could try is find the drivers in your system folder, especially the keyboard and sound driver and try to role back the drivers/ or re-install the drivers from your system discs that came with your computer. Just right click on the driver and select properties then choose roll back driver or update driver and follow the instructions, IE automatic or select choose where to find drivers and point to your cd drive. try auto first.
Hope this is of some help, good luck.

Thanks Tinka, as you can see I was half way there. The thing is almost everything is working OK, so I am reluctant to wipe everything and start again.

I will transfer my pics to my external hard drive though and try to get my address book from Incredimail onto Outlook Express. Did you mean OE. You put IE (Internet Explorer)?

Wont have time for a few days though.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to answer me.

[Archangel]

Thanks for your help George. Well that did work and the Volume Control returned to the systray. It vanished during yesterday, so I did a system restore and it came back again. I have just looked again and it's gone again! May be it will return when I reboot tomorrow.

I keep meaning to get out my software for the keyboard and mouse and see if that activates the keys again. If not I will just have to manage.

Audrey,

Let's see what that speaker volume icon will decide to do at last :D
Anyway, maybe there is something conflicting there, but I cannot possibly know what it is if I'm not in front of your computer.
The best thing to do is to observe when this phenomenon appears, in order to try to minimize the search of the problem on specific issues.

Do you have any software installed that does some automatic PC cleaning including also Web cleaning?
If you do have such a thing, take it off completely and tell me to send you 2 other safe software for that.


George

[Autumn]

No George, I haven't. In fact I haven't had a clean up for a few weeks.

Do you have "Clean up" software continually running? If so and you think I need it then "Yes please George" I would like you to send the 2 software programs to me, thanks.

I will see what happens when I reboot.

[Archangel]

No George, I haven't. In fact I haven't had a clean up for a few weeks.

Do you have "Clean up" software continually running? If so and you think I need it then "Yes please George" I would like you to send the 2 software programs to me, thanks.

I will see what happens when I reboot.

Audrey,

Most of the software installed in my computer has been tested for correct and harmless functionality. I install software after trying many different and finally keep those that I consider OK to keep.
I will send you 2 of the cleaning software I use.
Though, I must tell you I have heard problem issues from time to time with some people that have used Incredimail.
Maybe it would be a good idea to switch to some other e-mail client.

George

George

[Tinka]

Thanks Tinka,
I will transfer my pics to my external hard drive though and try to get my address book from Incredimail onto Outlook Express. Did you mean OE. You put IE (Internet Explorer)?

.

Hi Audrey,

Yes I did mean OE, Talking to friends They have advised me to advise you not to use Incredimail, They have all had problems with it, it seems to run for some time OK but then plays up and causes problems, especially after windows updates.
One does really need to be at the keyboard to see what is happening.
Your prob with the volume icon seems strange, as George has suggested it may be a conflict. However there are some non-dangerous Viruses out there written to just annoy rather than cause damage or criminal activity, however as the keyboard drivers are affected as well it looks very likely to be your accidental deletion of critical drivers/files. search and download all the updated drivers for your soundcard and keyboard and you may as well include your gaphics card drivers as well while you are at it.
May I point out that to do a full rebuild of your computer software from scratch will be faster and will/should cure all problems and corrupted files, and also clean any nasties that have found their way onto your computer, It will speed up your computer and give you a clean fresh start. IF you do take this route,PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BACKED UP YOUR DOCUMENTS, PHOTOS, E_Mail ADDRESSES, etc: FIRST.
After your re-build you could then search for and download the latest drivers for your computer if you wish.
I will leave you in the very capable hands of George concerning this problem, watch with interest and wish you the very best of luck.

[Autumn]

Thanks for your comments Tinka.

Today when I booted up I had the following message:

"Tray application has encountered a problem and will have to close."

I was redirected to the fault, which was apparently created by Norton Ghost for which there was not a solution.

My volume icon had not returned!

I ran George's clean up software and the icon had still not returned.

I ran Control Panel>Sound and Audio Devices.

"Place Volume Icon on task bar was checked".

I unchecked it and clicked on Apply;

I then rechecked in and clicked on Apply again ... ... and guess what, it appeared and is still there.

I reinstalled my keyboard and mouse drivers and rebooted my computer. I now have 14 icons in my systray where I only had about 3 before.:\

I don't know how they have got there unless it is through using George's clean up software and it has mended some registry files.

My keyboard still does not activate the progs that it is supposed to, even though I went through it all on screen. Perhaps it is broken.

I will have to see how things progress.

Since today's clean up I think things are moving more quickly, although it wasn't really sluggish before.

I will keep you posted. Thanks again to you both.

[Archangel]

Thanks for your comments Tinka.

Today when I booted up I had the following message:

"Tray application has encountered a problem and will have to close."

I was redirected to the fault, which was apparently created by Norton Ghost for which there was not a solution.

My volume icon had not returned!

I ran George's clean up software and the icon had still not returned.

I ran Control Panel>Sound and Audio Devices.

"Place Volume Icon on task bar was checked".

I unchecked it and clicked on Apply;

I then rechecked in and clicked on Apply again ... ... and guess what, it appeared and is still there.

I reinstalled my keyboard and mouse drivers and rebooted my computer. I now have 14 icons in my systray where I only had about 3 before.:\

I don't know how they have got there unless it is through using George's clean up software and it has mended some registry files.

My keyboard still does not activate the progs that it is supposed to, even though I went through it all on screen. Perhaps it is broken.

I will have to see how things progress.

Since today's clean up I think things are moving more quickly, although it wasn't really sluggish before.

I will keep you posted. Thanks again to you both.

Audrey,

The cleaning software I sent you doesn't have anything to do with system trays, registry or other. It is just a cleaning software mostly from the garbage we all pick from Internet. So do not have any concerns about the cleaning software.

Those icons they appeared on your system tray, might be inactive icons, from installing and unistalling other software from time to time.

Click Start, then Settings, then Taskbar & Start Menu. On the bottom of the popup screen, click the "Hide Inactive Icons" option.
If you do this then the unknown extra icons should disappear from your system tray.
If not, then something else is the problem.
From what you write from time to time though, I have the impression that you have installed some software that obviously some conflict with each other.

George