Volume Control

[doxideb]

I've lost my volume icon and when I try to re-install it, I get a
notification that I need to go into my Control Panel, then Audio/Sound
(whatever it's called!) which I've done several times. When I un-click the
mute feature, a red button alert comes up telling me I need to go to Volume
Control... can't find that anywhere so I'm wondering if I deleted something
in my other fiasco (See "I want my MSN butterfly back").

To MIKE HALL: Bravo! I have my butterfly back thanks to your great
direction! For some reason, it didn't happen exactly as you said it should...
probably because of the nut behind the wheel (e.g. me!) but it was close
enough that I was to go to Add & Remove Programs, and run the Microsoft
'install updates' option. (I did not have MSN Explorer in my lists of
programs, hence the problem... I'm sure I did something yet again that was
foolish & best left alone!) Thank you very, very much!

Debbie

 

[Malke]

I've lost my volume icon and when I try to re-install it, I get a
notification that I need to go into my Control Panel, then Audio/Sound
(whatever it's called!) which I've done several times. When I un-click the
mute feature, a red button alert comes up telling me I need to go to
Volume Control... can't find that anywhere so I'm wondering if I deleted
something in my other fiasco (See "I want my MSN butterfly back").

(snippage)

No, I don't want to plow through a lengthy thread that may or may not be
connected. Try this to get the volume icon back:

Extract a copy of the Sndvol32.exe file from the Windows XP CD and save it on
your computer’s hard disk, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD drive or DVD drive.
Press and hold the SHIFT key as you insert the CD to prevent it from
starting automatically.
2. Start>Run>cmd [enter]
3. At the command prompt, type the drive letter of the CD drive or DVD
drive, type a colon, and then press Enter. For example, if your computer’s
CD drive is drive E, you would type the following at the command prompt:
e: [enter]
4. Still in the command prompt, type:
cd i386 [enter]
expand sndvol32.ex_ C:\Windows\system32\sndvol32.exe [enter]

Note There is a space between "ex_" and "c:\windows" in this command.
5. Type exit to exit the command prompt, and then press Enter.
6. Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is
displayed in the notification area. If the Volume icon is displayed in the
notification area, you are finished.

Malke

 

[doxideb]

I've lost my volume icon and when I try to re-install it, I get a
notification that I need to go into my Control Panel, then Audio/Sound
(whatever it's called!) which I've done several times. When I un-click the
mute feature, a red button alert comes up telling me I need to go to Volume
Control... can't find that anywhere so I'm wondering if I deleted something
in my other fiasco (See "I want my MSN butterfly back").

To MIKE HALL: Bravo! I have my butterfly back thanks to your great
direction! For some reason, it didn't happen exactly as you said it should...
probably because of the nut behind the wheel (e.g. me!) but it was close
enough that I was to go to Add & Remove Programs, and run the Microsoft
'install updates' option. (I did not have MSN Explorer in my lists of
programs, hence the problem... I'm sure I did something yet again that was
foolish & best left alone!) Thank you very, very much!

Debbie

I have read the reply from Malke. I do not have the CD that was mentioned.
How do I obtain one? (Windows XP was pre-installed on my laptop as far as I
know and a friend set it up for me; I don't have a CD in my records.)

Thank you.

 

[Lem]

I have read the reply from Malke. I do not have the CD that was mentioned.
How do I obtain one? (Windows XP was pre-installed on my laptop as far as I
know and a friend set it up for me; I don't have a CD in my records.)

Thank you.

If Windows XP was pre-installed, there's a very good chance that you
have the directory C:\i386. In that directory you will find sndvol32.ex_
which is a compressed version of the file you need.

Therefore, follow this modification of Malke's directions

1. Start>Run>cmd [enter]
2. At the command prompt, type:
cd c:\i386 [enter]
expand sndvol32.ex_ C:\Windows\system32\sndvol32.exe [enter]

Note There is a space between "ex_" and "c:\windows" in this command.

3. Type exit to exit the command prompt, and then press Enter.
4. Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is
displayed in the notification area. If the Volume icon is displayed in
the notification area, you are finished.

 

[doxideb]

****LEM*****LEM*****LEM*****LEM*****
Thank you for your reply, however it seems I need it to be 'dummied down';
I've turned on my computer, clicked on 'start' however there is no 'run'
option. I've clicked on 'All Programs' but don't know what I'm looking for
(obviously). I'm sorry to be such a PITA.

Thank you,
Debbie

 

[Jose]

I have read the reply from Malke. I do not have the CD that was mentioned..
How do I obtain one? (Windows XP was pre-installed on my laptop as far asI
know and a friend set it up for me; I don't have a CD in my records.)

Thank you.

Search your HDD for sndvol32.exe (probaby in c:\windows
\system32\dllcache and copy it into the \windows\system32 folder.

This is what a properly working XP system would do immediately and
silently if the file was somehow deleted.


What do you mean - reinstall an icon? Do you mean Place volume icon
in the taskbar?

What does this notification message say - exactly?

There is no Audio and Sound option in Control Panel. Do you mean
Sounds and Audio Devices?

What is the exact message associated with the red button alert you are
seeing?

 

[Lem]

****LEM*****LEM*****LEM*****LEM*****
Thank you for your reply, however it seems I need it to be 'dummied down';
I've turned on my computer, clicked on 'start' however there is no 'run'
option. I've clicked on 'All Programs' but don't know what I'm looking for
(obviously). I'm sorry to be such a PITA.

Thank you,
Debbie

I've lost my volume icon and when I try to re-install it, I get a
notification that I need to go into my Control Panel, then Audio/Sound
(whatever it's called!) which I've done several times. When I un-click the
mute feature, a red button alert comes up telling me I need to go to Volume
Control... can't find that anywhere so I'm wondering if I deleted something
in my other fiasco
Debbie

If Windows XP was pre-installed, there's a very good chance that you have the directory C:\i386. In that directory you will find sndvol32.ex_ which is a compressed version of the file you need.

Therefore, follow this modification of Malke's directions

1. Start>Run>cmd [enter]
2. At the command prompt, type:
cd c:\i386 [enter]
expand sndvol32.ex_ C:\Windows\system32\sndvol32.exe [enter]

Note There is a space between "ex_" and "c:\windows" in this command.

3. Type exit to exit the command prompt, and then press Enter.
4. Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is
displayed in the notification area. If the Volume icon is displayed in the notification area, you are finished.

Part 1
Instead of step 1, you can open a Command Prompt by going to
Start>All Programs>Accessories>Command Prompt
see this screenshot:
http://screenshots.modemhelp.net/sc.../XP/Start_Menu/All_Programs/Accessories.shtml

Part 2
The Run command *should* be on the initial Start Menu (before you click
All Programs). See the bottom of the right column in this screenshot:
http://screenshots.modemhelp.net/screenshots/Windows_XP/Desktop/XP/Start_Menu/Index

If the Run command is missing, it's possible that all you need is a
simple reconfiguration, but it's also likely that your computer is
infected with malware.

If you have a keyboard with a "Windows" key, press that key plus R
simultaneously. If the Run window does not appear, please report the
error message verbatim.

Here's the easy fix:
Right click the Start button and select Properties
Click the Start menu tab
Click the Customize button
[If the Start menu radio button had been selected (instead of the
"Classic Start menu radio button), click the Advanced tab]
Use the scroll bar until you see either "Run command" (XP Start menu) or
"Display Run" (Classic Start menu) and ensure that the box is checked.
OK your way out.

If the Run command pops up properly when you use WinKey+R and returns to
the Start Menu when you check the appropriate box, then you're good to go.

If you get an error message in response to WinKey+R and there is no Run
command even though the box is checked in the Start menu configuration,
your computer probably is infected ... which might also explain why your
volume control went missing.

Do you have an up-to-date antivirus application?
Have you kept your system up-to-date with Microsoft security patches
from Windows Update?

I would start by downloading and running Malwarebytes AntiMalware
http://malwarebytes.org/
and then see Malke's very comprehensive advice on removing malware:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

 

[Lem]

Lem wrote:
Sorry. This screen shot link should be
http://screenshots.modemhelp.net/screenshots/Windows_XP/Desktop/XP/Start_Menu/Index.shtml

 

[doxideb]

-----LEM-----LEM-----LEM-----LEM-----LEM-----LEM

OK! We are headed in the right direction but have encountered a fork in the
road.
I got the 'Run' command back using the Windows + R

however...
there is no option to run 'cmd'
I get a box that says:
"Type the name of a program, folder, document or Internet resource, and
Windows will open it for you.'
If I type 'cmd', I get nothing.
If I type 'cd c:\i386' amd click 'enter', it tells me there is no cd
If I type 'expand sndvol32.ex_ C:\Windows\System32\sndvol32.exe' (enter),
I get a 'browse' option which is where I get lost again.

Yes, I have a current antivirus application. (Norton 360) and all of the
security patches have been installed to date.

Thank you, Lem.

Debbie

I have read the reply from Malke. I do not have the CD that was mentioned.
How do I obtain one? (Windows XP was pre-installed on my laptop as far as I
know and a friend set it up for me; I don't have a CD in my records.)

Thank you.

If Windows XP was pre-installed, there's a very good chance that you
have the directory C:\i386. In that directory you will find sndvol32.ex_
which is a compressed version of the file you need.

Therefore, follow this modification of Malke's directions

1. Start>Run>cmd [enter]
2. At the command prompt, type:
cd c:\i386 [enter]
expand sndvol32.ex_ C:\Windows\system32\sndvol32.exe [enter]

Note There is a space between "ex_" and "c:\windows" in this command.

3. Type exit to exit the command prompt, and then press Enter.
4. Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is
displayed in the notification area. If the Volume icon is displayed in
the notification area, you are finished.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/index.html

 

[doxideb]

To update:
I ran the Malware program as suggested a short while ago. There were many
things found and I deleted them, yet I still do not have my volume control
icon.

**I did write another comment to Lem yesterday also. I would greatly
appreciate further instructions.**

Regards, Debbie

 

[doxideb]

UPDATE WITH ANOTHER NEW PROBLEM 8-25-09
After running the Malware program as suggested and while waiting for answers
to my subsequent questions, here is a new glitch that began yesterday upon
sign in:
(RED X - Error Loading C:\PROGRA~1\MYWEBS~1\bar\6.bin\M3PLUGIN.DLL)
And while I don't know what this is referring to, if the latter portion is
referring to an MP3 player ~ I don't have one and one has never been attached
to my computer to my knowledge.

WOULD STILL APPRECIATE INFO TO GET SOUND BACK!

Thank you, Debbie

 

[doxideb]

***ATTENTION: LEM***
Finally back after fire delays, etc.

I have tried several times to do the 'run' and 'cmd' as outlined by you and
is also displayed here
http://www.jakeludington.com/window...e_control_program_has_not_been_installed.html

I've reached the point where, as he says, the instructions are misleading
because I cannot add the program... nor do I know which program to add.

When I open the 'cmd' box, the info is already there to direct the path to
documents & settings. If I type in 'e:' as instructed, I'm told that is an
invalid command, as with every other entry I've tried. I took a screenshot
but how do I display it for you to see?

I keep coming back to the point where I feel I need the XP installation CD,
however I didn't receive one since XP was preloaded in my laptop. I thought I
had a brilliant idea by running my Office 2007 Home & Student in 'repair'
mode... it took about an hour but gave no indication as to what it repaired ~
all I know is that I still do not have the icon in my tray!

I can get volume by accessing the 'sounds & devices' and un-muting it, but
that's not the point of all of this. The point is that it worked as desired
up to a certain point, then stopped and disappeared.

Thank you again for your time & patience.
Debbie