Same problem here, did you ever figure out why?

Steve

Try right-clicking on a blank area of the Task Bar next to the tray icons at the right side of the bottom of your screen.  Then left-click on "Properties" and a "Task Bar and Start Menu Properties" window will open.  Look at the check-boxes on the left side of the window and see if "Hide Inactive Icons" is checked.  If so, click on "Customize" and take a peek at the submenu of icons/programs which is displayed.  From the selectable options for each icon/program you desire to have continually displayed (including the power options), make sure "Always Show" is selected.  Whether you have the enable tray icon option selected from within the Control Panel or not, the Task Bar option tends to override that setting.  At least, that is what I have observed with my particular PC.  I've had the power icon come and go, but I can always get it back that way.  Don't ask me why that occurs; it's a Microsoft Windows thing.

Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

Cool.  Glad you found the fix.  If it weren't for system conflicts, we could spend more time computing rather than fixing.

Steve / E-Bass Man

Inspiron 8600
Intel Pentium M/Centrino 1.4 GHz
512Mb Ram
NVidia GeForce 5200 32Mb
15.4" Samsung XGA Display
Seagate 40Gb 5400 RPM HDD
Intel Mini/PRO 2100 Wireless Card
Win XP Pro SP2

I have had this same problem in just the past month for no reason.  I tried all the fixes mentioned on the boards, but the icon still doesn't come back.

Anyone know the Registry hack I can use to get the power icon to appear as it should?

Thanks!