This may be caused by an error in a registry value. Try this...go HERE, scroll down to line 316 near the bottom of the page and download the .reg file in the right side pane titled, "Sound Icon - Enable". Save the file to your hard disk and merge it into your registry by Double-clicking it and answering "Yes" to the import prompt. (Should you wish, .reg files can be viewed in Notepad by right clicking on the file and selecting Edit).

Dan

I tried what you suggested, merge the file in the reg. But I have the same problem. Do you think I'm missing a file?

Thanks again

Have you recently uninstalled Norton Anti-Virus by any chance...?

Hi Dan

No, I haven't. Do you think there is a connection?

 

You could try, right click on task bar, click properties; click hide inactive icons to activate the customize button, click customize, highligh the sound volume icon and in the drop down box select always show. Click OK. then uncheck the box hide inactive icons, click apply, OK. That sometimes works....

Some versions of NAV, when uninstalled, incorrectly remove a .reg file that affects some default sound settings.  In your case, this is a non-starter.  I assume the sound icon you are referring to is your default Windows icon and not, one provided by some 3rd party sound card software such as by Creative's Sound Blaster series.