Disappearing System Tray icons

[mike2002]

Sometimes after being on my computer for a time, certain icons 'disappear' from my System Tray. For instance 'My Connection', or'InCD' the packet-writing software for Nero burning CD-ROM. If I try to access the program elsewhere, Windows tells me that the the program is already running. How can I restore these icons without rebooting?
I remember seeing a program which either stopped this from happening, or was capable of restoring them again.
Unfortunately I've forgotten the name of it.

[Budfred]

If you are running WinXP, this is a "feature" of the program. I believe you disable it by Right clicking on the task bar and changing the setting. If it is not XP, I suspect you have a bigger problem since icons are not supposed to disappear.

Budfred

[Whyzman]

Here's the details for WinXP:
Take Control of What Icons Appear in the System Tray

The system tray is the recessed area next to the clock in the taskbar area (assuming that you have the clock enabled). It's actually not called the system tray anymore, because that would be too easy! That little recessed area next to the clock is called the "System Notification Area". Whatever you call it, it can be irritating to have important icons disappear from the tray when you need or want them visible. Check this out:

Right click in an empty area of the taskbar and click Properties.
On the Taskbar tab, look down in the Notification area frame. Notice that there is a checkmark in the Hide inactive icons checkbox. If you don't want any icons disappearing from the tray ever, remove the checkmark.
If you want some icons to disappear, and some icons to always be visible, leave the checkmark in the checkbox. Now click the Customize button.
In the Customize Notifications dialog box you'll see all the icons currently in the system tray. Scroll down the list and you'll see a list of icons that have been in the tray but aren't in it currently. Find an icon you always want to show and then click on the entry in the Behavior column. You have three choices: Always show, Always hide and Hide when inactive. If you always want the icon to appear in the tray, select the Always show option.

[mike2002]

Whyzman:
Sorry (I always forget to add this) but am using Windows 98SE.
Re. Taskbar Properties. In the Taskbar Options there are four boxes:

Always on Top.
Auto Hide
Show small icons in Start Menu
Show Clock

There's no 'Customise' or 'Behaviour' options in my version.
This is not a new occurance, but seems to be one of those annoying features that we all experience. When said icons disappear, the System Tray (I'll stick with that name) shrinks horizontally, as if the icons are still there, but have slipped out of view. Since posting, they've all been behaving themselves - you can never make these things go wrong when you want them to!

Am currently trying out the program 'Tray Magician' which, although it's job is to hide said icons, it will be intesting to see if it can 'hold' onto them. The program sits in the system tray and can be
enabled or disabled.

[Budfred]

That "Always on Top" option is the one you need to make the task bar stay visible and show you your icons. Unclick the "Auto Hide".

Budfred

[Paul Komski]

THIS (http://www.kfsoft.com/trayer/features.htm#System Tray Icons Recovery) claims to do it.

[mike2002]

Budfred: "Always on Top" is permanently ticked.
Paul: Will download your suggestion, and retain for future reference should the problem continue.