Okay, here's a dilemma. I think I might know the answer, but I don't want to spend an hour trying to figure it out- I'll just wait for you guys to help me out

I have a small hard drive- 13GB. It's definitely getting cramped with all my mp3s and Audacity files. I am always deleting old stuff like homework, pictures, games, etc.

For example, I had two very large games that I ceased to play quite a while ago- deleted.
Old pictures of those creepy kids that I used to hang out with- deleted.
My essay on Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 - deleted.

You get the picture.
So, recently I was in Windows XP's "Add or Delete Programs" thing, and I was looking for programs I don't use. I ended up navigating to something called "Add/Remove Windows Processes" (or something similarly named). I checked boxes next to a couple of programs that I don't need, like IE and something else. It prompted me to reboot, so I did.

When I logged back on, I was missing the speaker icon in the toolbox that controls the computer volume!
You have to understand that this program is ESSENTIAL for the work I do (recording my band with Audacity). This program is simply invaluable to controlling the volume of line-in/microphone/line-out. Now it's gone, and I need it back!

I will accept absolutely no substitutes... well, I take that back. If there's freeware that's equivalent or beyond in function and it's well suited for the job, I'll take it.

Otherwise: How do I get it back?

ummm... try to find that Add/Remove Windows components under Multimedia. It should be there.

xboxrulz

Is it completely removed even from your Accessories/entertainment menu?
Also alot of sound cards and have software bundled with the drivers that do that stuff,
So maybe you could check to see if you might have one laying around on cd or it might be
available on the soundcard maker's site.

What computer do you have thats only 13gb.

Please tell me.

My computer is 40gb, and has 13gb of back up alone!!

I admire you managing to use that kind of computer, but what is it, which OS, which type of computer and price, I could get it for people I know and their first computers.

Mafamba Team, he already said that he's using Windows XP.

xboxrulz

I *might* be able to help you. Because it wanted a restart, there's a good chance it modified system files which are usually salvageable by Windows XP's System Restore.

To start system restore, follow the instructions: (You might want to print this out since it will require the reboot of your computer and you'll be offine)

1. Click Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
2. Click 'Restore my computer to an earlier time' (This should be default) and then click 'Next'.
3. On the calendar, click the day of or the day before you removed your sound program and click Next.
4. This next screen verifies the date & time you're restoring to. NOTE: You will NOT lose documents or files of the sorts and it is REVERSIBLE. Click Next.
5. Your computer will restart. After it boots back up, System Restore begins to restore your system back. This can take a few minutes.
6. Your computer will restart again, this time taking you to Windows. Login and verify that the speaker icon is then there.
7. Note: This may have brought back other programs, depending on when you removed them.

System restore has saved me from things like this and even evil spyware. Hopefully it will help save you!

[N]F

i have never checked for this myself, but third-party programs are able to manipulate the windows mixer, so chances are if you are left with no choice you could just search for a windows xp mixer on google.

You might want to check in the control panel sound options (control panel -> sound and audio devices).
Under the device volume section there should be "Place volume icon in the taskbar", and enable that option.
You can also get to the mixer through there by clicking advanced... and it will open up the mixer for you.
If you don't get an option to enable the taskbar option check under add/remove programs then add/remove windows components on the left side and have a search under the multimedia section. Remember there are many subcategories and it could be hidden under one of them.

-HellFire

Okay, guys. First off, I want to thank all of you for the feedback. I've never gotten so many replies, and so quickly!

Let me outline my position again:
-I'm working on a barebones machine (custom built by Dad with random crap...)
-Windows XP
-I went into a special window that allowed me to DELETE Windows processes
-I checked a couple of boxes and clicked "Delete"
-Rebooted and the sound mixer program was gone.

Now, I think I might be able to get it off the Windows install CD. I've heard of restoring programs (like Photo Editor) that way. However, the amount of time it would take to poke into that is immense.

The best response I got was from nightfox, and I'm about to go try it. If you guys have links to replacement programs (freeware only, please) or detailed instructions, those are much appreciated. Sympathy and mockery are acceptable, however not very useful

thanks guys.

Aw man, you shouldn't have deleted your essay and definitely NOT the pictures! Just upload them to some virtual drive like Yahoo briefcase... '=)