Here is another possible workaround for the VolumeBug.

Disable STIMON.EXE Startup Item

STIMON.EXE is a Startup Item used to support digital cameras and scanners. If the bug started for you when you installed a new scanner or digital camera software, then this might work for you. The advantage to this fix is that it usually works, is reversable, and actually speeds up boot time.

You now have two options.

  1. You can manually disable the startup of STIMON. But then you will have to double click on an icon before using your scanner or digital camera (once per restart). Also STIMON has a way of getting reenabled when you install new software or driver.
  2. Or you can use a free STIMON_FIX program by Davie Lee Reed. It delays the startup of STIMON so it doesn't cause a crash. And it detects any attempt by new software to reschedule STIMON so the fix is permanent. Get it from "http://www.smatters.com/stimon/stimon_fix.html".
If you decide to manually disable STIMON, here's how:
  1. Select "Run..." from Windows "Start" Menu.
  2. Enter "msconfig" and hit OK button.
  3. Select "StartUp" tab. Scroll through the list of entries.
  4. Uncheck "Still Image Monitor" (stimon.exe). Jim says "I found that I had to disable both the "HPSCANMonitor" and the "Still Image Monitor" files to fix it.
  5. Restart your computer. Did you get a blue screen? Hopefully not.
Now you can create an icon that you can double click on before using your camera or scanner. (Thanks to Pete Sackett for this next trick.)
  1. Select "Find.../Files or Folders" in from the Start menu.  This should open a "Find All Files" window.
  2. Type "stimon.exe" in the "Named" box, then click the "Find Now" button.
  3. After the search has finished, right-click "Stimon.exe" in the file list, then select "Create Shortcut".

    4. A message box will appear: "Windows cannot create a shortcut here.  Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?"  Click "Yes".