[mindwaves]

I only use the control strip to change the volume and maybe something else but sometimes I find that it has disappeared so I have to go back into the control panels to get it. Any ideas as to why? I have Mac OS 9.0.4.

[DBursey]

You might try trashing your control strip preferences file in the system folder -> preferences. Preference files can sometimes become corrupted and cause problems like this. In any case, if thats not the prob, all you'll need to do is to reset your hot key in the control panel.