how could sndvol32 (your sound) get uninstalled? if its not on your computer, how do you get it back?

Control Panel > Sound and Audio Devices > Volume Tab > Place Volume icon in tray

yup did that. says sndvol32 doesn't exist. i know from past experience that if you uncheck accessories under add/remove components on xp sndvol32 dies (your sound). and even if you recheck....still doesn't care.

well, I would try the following.

Windows cannot display the volume control on the taskbar because the Volume Control program has not been installed. To install it use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

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. To do this, follow these steps:

Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Press and hold down the SHIFT key as you insert the CD-ROM to prevent it from starting automatically. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type cmd , and then click OK.

Type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after each line, where CD-ROM drive is the drive letter of the computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP CD-ROM, and system_root is the path and folder name where the Windows system files are located (generally C:\Windows):

CD-ROM drive:

cd i386

expand sndvol32.ex_ system_root \system32\sndvol32.exe

For example, if your computer's CD-ROM drive is drive E, and the folder that contains the Windows system files is C:\Windows, type the following lines at the command prompt (pressing ENTER after each line):

e:

cd i386

expand sndvol32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe

Type exit to quit the command prompt.

Verify that you can start Volume Control and that the Volume icon is displayed in the notification area of the taskbar (if you selected this option).

OR

Click start.

Click run

Type SFC /Scannow

I would consider that a system file that probably needs replaced. Hope it works for you!

If not post back here, and I will try to think of something else besides the two ideas above.