How to Troubleshoot a Windows XP Sound Device
Every now and then, your computer's sound may mysteriously stop working. Windows XP has many tools that can help you determine what the problem is. By using these tools, you may be able solve that problem without having to reach behind your computer to adjust the speaker connections, or open the case to check your sound card. In many cases, you'll find that the problem is being caused by missing device drivers, improper audio-configuration settings or device conflicts.
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Instructions
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Make sure your speakers are turned on. Click "Start>Control Panel." Right-click "My Computer" and select "Properties" from the drop-down menu. Select the "Hardware" tab. Click "Device Manager." Click the plus sign next to "Sound, video and game controllers" to expand the submenu. In the list, find the sound device your computer uses. Right-click on the device and select "Properties" to find more information and check the device status.
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Try playing sounds using a different CD if the problem is with your CD drive. If you cannot hear any sounds when trying to play CDs, click the "Driver" tab in the "Properties" window of your sound device. Check the driver provider, date, version and signer. If the driver seems outdated or if it is missing, navigate to the website of your computer or sound card's manufacturer to download the most recent driver. Return to Device Manager and click the plus sign next to "DVD/CD-ROM Drives." Right-click your CD player and select "Properties." Click the "Properties" tab. If the check box beside "Enable digital audio for the CD-ROM device" is checked, clear it. If it's clear, check it. Click "OK." Then try playing the CD again.
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Click "Start>Control Panel>Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices." Click the "Sounds and Audio Devices Properties" link. Ensure that the "Mute" button is not checked. Click the "Sounds" tab. Select a system sound in the "Program events" window. Select a sound from the "Sounds" drop-down menu. Click the button with the right-facing arrow to play the sound.
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Click the "Advanced" button in "Sounds and Audio Properties" if you cannot hear system sounds. Ensure that the "Mute" buttons are not checked and that the volume sliders for each type of file are set to adequate levels. Also make sure the balance between the left and right speakers is set in the middle.
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Click the "Audio" tab in "Sounds and Audio Properties" if you're still having a problem. Under "Sound Playback," select the correct audio device from the list. Also select the device you would like to use for sound recording and MIDI playback. Click "OK." Try playing a sound file on your computer to see if the problem has been solved.
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Tips & Warnings
If basic troubleshooting steps don't work, try posting your problem in a forum to get help from other computer users.
Resources
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