Resolved Taskbar-The Audio Service is not running..

Hi Gang,
I'm running Win7 Pro SP1, on an MSI P6NGM Motherboard, Intel Dual core E2180, 4GB Memory, and using NVidia on board sound card and the latest Vista/Win7 NVidia software (drivers).
A good 1/2 the time the speaker icon in the taskbar shows a white x in a red circle. When passing the cursor over the icon I see the message "The Audio System is not running. ".
The NVidia software includes both "Digital Audio-S/PDIF (Ready)" and "Speakers (Default Device)" options. I do not use the S/PDIF, but rather Default Device exclusively and am always getting sound from my speakers (and the quality always in line with my NVidia Equalizer software personal settings) , despite the warning.
Any ideas on the cause of this situation will be (as always) greatly appreciated....

 

Hi Guys,
First, thanks for your speedy responses!
I checked the Windows Audio Service and it's already set to Automatic. I just right clicked on the Taskbar icon and disabled the Digital Audio-S/PDIF.
Nothing has changed yet, but I'm assuming they probably will on the next re-boot.
On other thing... the NVidia/Windows software includes microphones(for 2 ports), line-in, and headphones displays.
When installing my Motherboard and all the other physical goodies as well, I simply used the splitter I had for my former Soundblaster Sound card for my headphones.
So it may be that I will continue to get this warning symbol unless I disable all the features I don't use.
Many thanks again for your help!