Lost sound in Windows XP

samsong7 | 12:17 Mon 02nd Jul 2007 | Computers

6 Answers

I have suddenly lost the sounds in Windows XP. I can play DVDs and CDs with no problems,so I know the sound card is OK, but I cannot get any of the sounds (such as the windows start up , e mail notification, critical stop etc). I have tried all the obvious, like making sure that nothing is muted, but I still cannot get the sounds to work. When I go to Control panel>Sounds and Audio devices>ProgramEvents and click on a sound, the little box with the arrow in it to the left of the Browse button ( for playing the sound) remains"grey" and will not allow the button to be pressed to play the sound. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Systems Restore

usb1.1 to usb2

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retrochoir

Have you tried applying a different sound scheme at the top of the dialog box?

samsong7

Question Author

Thanks for your reply retrochoir. The only ones listed are "Windows default" and "No Sounds" , so as you can imagine, I don't have a choice. I have no idea what happened to the sounds. I am hoping that I can get a successful result from you good people on this site !!

samsong7

Question Author

OK Guys. I have located the XP sounds (XPstart up. e mail notification etc) in my C: WINDOWS~ MEDIA file, and when I click on them they play the tune, but when I click on them in CONTROL PANEL~SOUNDS AND AUDIO DEVICES~SOUNDS I cannot get them to play. I hope this makes it easier for you to find my problem.

retrochoir

The only other thing I can suggest is to apply the 'no sounds' scheme and then re-apply the 'windows default' scheme.

You may have already tried this but if not, its worth a shot.

retrochoir

You could try this link: www.free-pc-checkup.com.

I can't vouch for this site as I've never tried it myself but it seems to offer a free download to diagnose problems such as yours.

samsong7

Question Author

Thanks again retrochoir. I have tried both of your suggestions, with no luck at all. The link you sent is free, until you get half way through and then you have to purchase the program if you want to continue.
It looks as if I will have to format my drive and reinstall windows. Thanks again for the replies.

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