How To: Fix Missing System Tray Icons at Windows XP startup

[David Ocampo]

How To: Fix Missing System Tray Icons at Windows XP startup

Applies to: Windows XP

Refer to the following links:

http://www.tech-pro.net/howto_013.html

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319095/en-us

Symptoms

After you start the computer, one or more of the icons that should be
present in the system tray (notification area) of the Taskbar are often
missing.

Cause

The cause of this problem is not known, but it's almost certainly a bug in
Windows XP.

Solution

There is no known solution, but there are workarounds that may reduce the
frequency of this annoying occurrence.

I have found a solution to this problem. It requires adding two registry
keys. The first key points to systray.exe and named "SystemTray" in the
system32 folder with the command to run in the startup folder for all users.
The second key points to the systray.exe in the system32 folder with the
command to run in the registry for all all users. The easy way to add these
keys is to have startup manager utiltiy to edit/add startup/registry/win.ini
commands.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319095/en-us

Symptoms

After you start the computer, one or more of the icons that should be
present in the system tray (notification area) of the Taskbar are
often missing.

Cause

The cause of this problem is not known, but it's almost certainly a
bug in Windows XP.

LOL! You're referring to MSKB article 319095, excerpt:

| CAUSE
| This behavior can occur if the Sndvol32.exe file is damaged or
| missing.

Solution

There is no known solution, but there are workarounds that may reduce
the frequency of this annoying occurrence.

| RESOLUTION
| To resolve this issue, extract a new copy of Sndvol32.exe from the
| Windows XP compact disc to the system_root\System32 folder on your
| computer's hard disk.

I have found a solution to this problem. It requires adding two
registry keys. The first key points to systray.exe and named
"SystemTray" in the system32 folder with the command to run in the
startup folder for all users. The second key points to the systray.exe
in the system32 folder with the command to run in the registry for all
all users. The easy way to add these keys is to have startup manager
utiltiy to edit/add startup/registry/win.ini commands.

Let me guess. You have no idea what "systray.exe" is for. Its function
is pretty much limited since Win95. "Windows System Tray Icons"
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;310578 (excerpt)

| The following icons provided by Systray.exe may be displayed on the
| taskbar:
|
| - Battery Meter
| - PC Card Status
| - Volume Control
| - Quickres
| - Task Scheduler

 

[David Ocampo]

Hi,

Your reaction to my workaround suggestion is a bit odd indeed. I am sharing
a solution with the Windows community. I am not looking for any unnecessary
comments on the function and limitations of windows system tray. I am well
aware of them.

I know the purpose and function of the executable file "systray.exe" and I
understand the limitations regarding any workaround for this problem. A
problem that is well documented in the windows development community. There
is no real solution to the problem because of the way the dynamic link
library files for the task tray notification items are accessed in order
based on the windows xp call in the system registry. My solution to the
problem simply calls the registry twice in order to capture the dynamic link
library if the first call attempt fails to load any of the system task tray
items, especially the volume control which is a common problem in Windows
XP.

Your superfluous comments are directed at me and do not offer any
constructive solution. At least I am sharing a novel workaround solution to
the problem rather than "copying" links from other web resources.

Thanks for your feedback.

David

LOL! You're referring to MSKB article 319095, excerpt:

| CAUSE

| This behavior can occur if the Sndvol32.exe file is damaged or

| missing.


| RESOLUTION

| To resolve this issue, extract a new copy of Sndvol32.exe from the

| Windows XP compact disc to the system_root\System32 folder on your

| computer's hard disk.


Let me guess. You have no idea what "systray.exe" is for. Its function

is pretty much limited since Win95. "Windows System Tray Icons"

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;310578 (excerpt)

| The following icons provided by Systray.exe may be displayed on the

| taskbar:

| - Battery Meter

| - PC Card Status

| - Volume Control

| - Quickres