"Incidentally, I have also noticed that, when I turn back on "Hide inactive
icon" option in Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, it doesn't hide any
icon now."

If so,try:-
Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

dactel wrote:
>
> My Power / Battery Icon has gone missing. It really is an annoying problem
> because, in order to see how much battery charge I have left, I have to go
> Control Panel>Power Options>Power Meter.
>
> I have already have tried unchecking and rechecking "Always show icon on the
> taskar" option in Control Panel>Power Options>Advanced.
>
> I also have deselected "Hide inactive icons" options in Taskbar and Start
> Menu Properties.
>
> I can't seem to find any good answer to this problem anywhere.
>
> I am using Sony VAIO VGN-TX670P. Their product support department hasn't
> been able to come up with a good answer either.
>
> Incidentally, I have also noticed that, when I turn back on "Hide inactive
> icon" option in Taskbar and Start Menu Properties, it doesn't hide any icon
> now. Also, my volume icon has gone missing.
>
> Could anyone out there help me?
>
> Thanks in advance.