When starting up my computer with Mac OS 8.1 installed, I noticed that my control strip is missing.
The behavior you describe may occur with Mac OS 8.0 or Mac OS 8.1.
Non-working QuickTime preferences may cause the control strip not to appear on the screen, as well as cause the QuickTime Settings control panel to display an error and quit when you try to open it.
Solution
Should you be experiencing this issue, move the QuickTime preferences to the Trash, then restart. Your control strip should reappear (if you had made any settings within the QuickTime settings Control Panel, you will have to reset those).
Important: If you have a copy of QuickTime Pro, make sure you have your registration number recorded and in a safe place because when you delete the QuickTime preferences you will have to reenter the number.
Note: Upgrading to QuickTime 4.1 or Mac OS 8.5 or later prevents this from occurring.
If your control strip does not reappear, then you are probably experiencing a non-related issue. Here are some troubleshooting tips which may help:
2. Drag the Control Strip preferences file (located in the Preferences folder) to the Trash and restart the computer.
3. Make sure there are Control Strip modules inside the Control Strip modules folder (located in the System Folder)
4. Check to see if the Control Strip is simply collapsed (you will see a small grey tab instead of the full control strip).