Windows Vista Battery status doesn't appear in notification area.

Hi all.

I bought a new HP notebook about a month or so ago. The battery status showed on the bottom right corner of the windows as it suppose to be. But until recently, it just disappeared (along with my volume control). I have tried right click on start ->properties->notificaition area tab and tried to check the marked box for "power" and "volume ", but the check box was faded out (cannot check). What is going on? My girlfriend's laptop has the same problem. I've tried searching for help on the MS website, and it said it could be because the 'system administrator' has block it, but i am the system administrator, and i haven't change any settings. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
-nD

 

yea.. still not there when i click it though.. i set everything to "always show" still nothing..