Hi, newbie here. Running winxp sp2 on dell dimension8400. I use a digital audio player as an external harddrive (iriver h140- usb2.o connection) Always would click to safely remove hardware icon in the bottom right tray, prior to disconnecting the player. three days ago I noticed that the icon had disappeared from the tray, and I pulled the drive out without "properly disconnecting". Where did that icon go? Searched through taskbar properties and could not find the icon. Finally after going to check the properties of the harddrive (while plugged in- drive H) I found that the default setting is to optimize for quick removal, and I found a little link to click that would display the icon and allow me to disconnect "properly". I ultimately locked the taskbar to keep the icon there, as thru routine use of the computer it would disappear. If I restart computer it disappears. I recently (7days ago installed ewido) but other than that, no other changes. ewido, ZA, AVG, Spybot scans are all clear. I also have spyware blaster. Any ideas how to get my little icon back? thanks.
ps sorry about the long winded post.

Ok, let's try and bring it back for you.

Click on Start > run > then copy and paste this into the run box and press return:

RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

Thanks. I'm stuck at work until tomorrow afternoon, but i'll give it a shot at that time.

No probs, let us know how you get on

Well I just tried your rec... the window for safely removing hardware popped up. I am able to select a piece of hardware. select stop and then the icon shows up. It will stay if I lock the taskbar. I guess I am wondering why it left in the first way, and I suppose, how can I get the system tray icon for my apc backup back? (this has also disappeared).

It sounds as if you may be falling foul of Windows' passion for neatness.

It will hide icons that it considers to be inactive. You should see a little arrow on the left hand side of your system tray if this is the case. When you click that then all the hidden icons are temporarily revealed.

If that works, you can mess around with the settings a little so that the icon is never hidden... Just right-click on the taskbar and select Properties. There's a checkbox at the bottom so that you can turn off the autohide completely, or you can click the customise button to specify settings for each icon.

Hope this helps.