No sounds, except for CD

[Samantha]

A friend asked me today about a problem she's having with her home PC. She says that "suddenly" the PC no longer has any sound, except from audio CDs. There are no Windows sounds or "You have mail" from AOL (I would consider this one a blessing). When trying to play a MP3 file from the hard drive, she says the file appears to be playing in RealPlayer Jukebox, but there is no sound. She says she checked all the volume controls in the Windows volume control panel and all appeared OK.

I suspect that a software problem among warring multimedia applications, but does anyone have any more specific ideas on causes?


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[Paleo Pete]

Check to see what the default player is for the various file types, and has anything been installed recently, such as games, or another mp3 player that might have affected the sound properties?

Also check the recording sound controls, see if everything is turned up there. Once the main volume control window is open go to Options\Properties and check the Recording Controls radio button. Make sure everything is turned up about halfway and nothing is muted.

If anything has been installed recently that could have altered the settings it may be necessary to update the sound card drivers.

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Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[Jerkymom]

When trying to play a MP3 file from the hard drive, she says the file appears to be playing in RealPlayer Jukebox, but there is no sound.
After checking everything Pete suggested, if the problem persists I think the sound card is responsible. I've had exactly the same symptoms on 3 sound cards - won't play wave files but plays midi files OK, files appear to play but no sound, no conflicts in Device Manager. I removed the cards (both in Device Manager and physically from the PC) and reinstalled, removed and reinstalled the media software, and updated the card drivers. In desperation, I finally replaced the cards and everything was fine. Because I like to tinker around to see what I can build with old parts, I tried those cards in other systems later on, but the symptoms persisted so they went to "Old Hardware Heaven"... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif Admittedly, all 3 cards were either relatively old or low end quality, so you might want to check with your friend to see what card she has.

Kim

[jangolion]

yes i had the same problem and it was driving me nuts i check device manage nothing zip zilch nada null no conflicts. checked the volume controles in control panel/multimedia everything already turn up. which brings me to an intresting point did your friend recently download any games or loaded any game on to the computer because mysteriously after i loaded a game for my pc i wasnt able to play mp3...and i would sign on to aol it kept on repeating welcome but only the wel wel wel wel wel wel wel part how annoying and i couldn't remedy it needless to say finaly I erased all sound drivers in the device manager and install a new pci sound card and it has been working great since then........
you could also upgrade each driver in device manage by hiting properties/device/upgrade but this this would be a tedious exercise to locate the right one from the sound cards site download it to your computer or disk then load each one until you start having dreams about drivers........good luck keep us posted.... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by jangolion (edited 11-03-2000).]

[Samantha]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

According to friend, it turned out that the volume control for WAV was turned down or muted in what she referred to as the "Gateway thingy". The "Gateway thingy" seems to be a branded version of one of the SoundBlaster utilities. Aren't settings from third-party utilities supposed to show in Windows volume control panel?

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