Sound Card Problem

Sherwin · 06-10-2006, 06:55 PM

I imagine that since this is the sound card forum there are lots of threads like this but i can't seem to find anything relating to my problem. I recently bought a new computer and it uses Windows XP Home. So yesterday I downloaded a free trial of a program called soundtaxi which supposedly converts mp3 and wmas well as it was recommended on another forum. When the installer came up it said something about searching the computer and then it restarted and such. I panicked and thought the program was some kind of virus so i deleted its folder and all of its drivers from the computer. Today when I put the computer on it won't play any sound files. When I click a file in media player it says "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there might be a problem with your sound or video device. Try Installing an updated device driver." I looked on a number of the help and support pages and nothing is working.

In Sounds and Audio Devices in control panel is simply says "No Audio Device" and all of the options are shaded. In Hardware it says that "Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller" and all of the audio codecs and audio drivers are working properly.

Please don't ignore this thread if you know what the problem could be. What could I possibly do to fix this?

**TheMatt** · 06-10-2006, 08:40 PM

Hi, and welcome to TSF!
Did your computer/motherboard come with a CD? The drivers are uninstalled and can be reinstalled from there. If a program requires that the computer be rebooted, this is normal and just means that the program has made registry changes.

Sherwin · 06-10-2006, 10:53 PM

It did in fact come with CDs. One is "Windows XP Home Edition" and another one is "VIA Chipsets Motherboard Utilities CD". I am not sure of what to do with them as the shop installed the programs for me, but in the hardware on control panel it says realtek and the other audio programs are working properly. I think it might be related to when earlier I was looking at hardware in "Sounds and Audio" from control panel, I saw one of the "sound taxi" drivers and it's title was unknown, so I uninstalled that and for some reason I also decided to uninstall the hardware below it on the list also "unknown" Could this be the problem even though the realtek and such is working. What do you suggest I do?
Thanks

Sherwin · 06-11-2006, 12:42 AM

ok so I used the "GIGABYTE VIA Chipsets Motherboard Utilities CD" and chose to reinstall the RealTek drivers and everything yet on rebooting and still same problems as before. Help?

**TheMatt** · 06-11-2006, 10:12 AM

After you did this, does it still say no audio device in the control pannel? What about device manager?

Go to where you saw this:
"Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller" and all of the audio codecs and audio drivers are working properly.
Uninstall everything about the realtek sound card there.
Then go to the add new hardware wizard. Its in the control pannel.
Have it scan the PC. It should find the realtek sound card.
Then another wizard will pop up. At this time, insert the motherboard CD but don't do anything with it.
Select "I will choose the location of the driver" in the wizard and check the box labeled "Include the CD drive in the search".
Have it scan. It should find and install the drivers. Then reboot if asked.

Sherwin · 06-11-2006, 06:41 PM

I did that with no avail so I think I might as well take it to the store and ask the guy to fix it up for me. Thanks a lot for you help though Matt.

**TheMatt** · 06-11-2006, 06:54 PM

Let us know how it turns out.

computersSUCK · 07-04-2006, 11:03 AM

I am having this same problem. I tried to get the free trial for "soundtaxi" and now my computer will not play any sound files. When I try to play music nothing happens. I uninstalled soundtaxi but other than that I have NO IDEA what I'm supposed to do to fix it. I don't want to reformat the computer.

Sherwin · 07-04-2006, 11:41 PM

Well i took it to the shop and the man fixed it up. He said that the drivers were installed, but not started. He said he needed to go online and download the necessary drivers or program to start it. if you can't figure out what you need to download or do maybe try email the people from the soundtaxi website.
hope i helped

computersSUCK · 07-08-2006, 04:54 PM

I sent an email to them several days ago but I still haven't gotten any responce. Is there any chance you could tell me what the software is if you remember, or if you can ask your computer guy.

07-09-2006, 09:03 AM

computersSUCK, I am experience the EXACT SAME PROBLEM you are. In fact, I have even attempted to install new audio hardware with the same result. The device is added in Device Manager, but no Audio Mixer is detected. :/ I have even manually removed the SndTDriverV32.sys file from the registry, but I fear there is another device somewhere that is hooking in and preventing Windows from allowing our sound cards to work. SoundTaxi blows! I hope I don't have to reinstall Windows! Ugg!

If anyone finds a solution, please post it here in this thread. If I find one, I'll be back here to report it. Thank in advance!!

07-09-2006, 08:07 PM

Well, I have a solution. I called my brother, who is a systems technician for a Computer Repair company and he told be to do a "Repair" install to fix the SoundTaxi issue. In fact, this is what he had to do to solve this very problem. So I popped in my Windows CD and did a repair install. Because of such, I didn't lose any settings on my computer, only my systems drivers where all rolled back. So, all I have to do now is update all of my system drivers to get the latest (Windows Update) and I'm all set. The good thing though, I have sound again and everything seems to be as it was, except the updating of the system drivers off Windows Update and/or manufacturers website. Whew! Good to have everything restored.

If you need to do the same, do the following. Reboot system with your OS disk (WinXP) and then boot off the CD. Then skip the Recovery Console and select Install Windows. Next press F8 to agree to the terms. Next, you'll have the option to Install Windows, or do a '(R)epair' install. Press 'R' and do the repair install. After that, simply let the system do the install. You will be asked a couple other options later on, but that should do it. Depending on the speed of your system, install can take approximately 30 minutes.

bundybear · 07-10-2006, 06:13 AM

g'day i have the same problem
has anyone found another way around this as i have miss placed my windows cd at the minture and don't ready want to do a repair right now as last time it messed up and i had to reinstall.
thanks for any help

bundybear · 07-10-2006, 03:38 PM

well i found my XP cd but still don't want to to a repair install as it is only sp1 not sp2 and i have a limited download so don't feel like downloading all the updates again.
is there another way around this?
thanks for any help

**Terrister** · 07-10-2006, 04:37 PM

Bundybear:try start,run and type sfc /scaannow
It will ask you for your Windows cd. This scans the windows files and replaces missing and damaged files.

bundybear · 07-10-2006, 04:53 PM

thanks i am trying the now, hopefully it works as this is becomeing a real pain.
i was looking around and i have found that in my hardwear properties that none of my multimedia devices have started. it saids that the driver is enabled but has not been started.
well let you know how sfc /scannow works.
thanks

bundybear · 07-10-2006, 05:17 PM

no luck with the scan, still not working.
here is a screen shot of the driver not starting.

don't know if this is the cause of the trouble or there is something else that is stopping it.

bundybear · 07-11-2006, 03:41 PM

DELETED.
looks like i am not welcome to post here so i will delete my fix i found.
sorry but i didn't think i was doing anything wrong

please delete my other postes if there are problem i just tryed but i can't

07-11-2006, 04:44 PM

bundybear, I got the same "warning" too. REMOVED BY MODERATORS. REASON: Rude/offensive content. So.. I thank you for your post anyway. I won't be posting here anymore too.

computersSUCK · 07-15-2006, 12:31 PM

I got a message back.

Dear Customer

I am really sorry for the troubles the installation caused.

Please reboot you PC, step into the boot manager and select "start last good configuration"

Kind regards

Christine

06-10-2006, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sherwin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 OS: Win XP	Sound Card Problem I imagine that since this is the sound card forum there are lots of threads like this but i can't seem to find anything relating to my problem. I recently bought a new computer and it uses Windows XP Home. So yesterday I downloaded a free trial of a program called soundtaxi which supposedly converts mp3 and wmas well as it was recommended on another forum. When the installer came up it said something about searching the computer and then it restarted and such. I panicked and thought the program was some kind of virus so i deleted its folder and all of its drivers from the computer. Today when I put the computer on it won't play any sound files. When I click a file in media player it says "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there might be a problem with your sound or video device. Try Installing an updated device driver." I looked on a number of the help and support pages and nothing is working. In Sounds and Audio Devices in control panel is simply says "No Audio Device" and all of the options are shaded. In Hardware it says that "Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller" and all of the audio codecs and audio drivers are working properly. Please don't ignore this thread if you know what the problem could be. What could I possibly do to fix this?

06-10-2006, 08:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Hi, and welcome to TSF! Did your computer/motherboard come with a CD? The drivers are uninstalled and can be reinstalled from there. If a program requires that the computer be rebooted, this is normal and just means that the program has made registry changes. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

06-10-2006, 10:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sherwin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 OS: Win XP	It did in fact come with CDs. One is "Windows XP Home Edition" and another one is "VIA Chipsets Motherboard Utilities CD". I am not sure of what to do with them as the shop installed the programs for me, but in the hardware on control panel it says realtek and the other audio programs are working properly. I think it might be related to when earlier I was looking at hardware in "Sounds and Audio" from control panel, I saw one of the "sound taxi" drivers and it's title was unknown, so I uninstalled that and for some reason I also decided to uninstall the hardware below it on the list also "unknown" Could this be the problem even though the realtek and such is working. What do you suggest I do? Thanks Last edited by Sherwin; 06-10-2006 at 11:03 PM.

06-11-2006, 10:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	After you did this, does it still say no audio device in the control pannel? What about device manager? Go to where you saw this: "Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller" and all of the audio codecs and audio drivers are working properly. Uninstall everything about the realtek sound card there. Then go to the add new hardware wizard. Its in the control pannel. Have it scan the PC. It should find the realtek sound card. Then another wizard will pop up. At this time, insert the motherboard CD but don't do anything with it. Select "I will choose the location of the driver" in the wizard and check the box labeled "Include the CD drive in the search". Have it scan. It should find and install the drivers. Then reboot if asked. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

06-11-2006, 06:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Let us know how it turns out. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

06-11-2006, 12:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sherwin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 OS: Win XP	ok so I used the "GIGABYTE VIA Chipsets Motherboard Utilities CD" and chose to reinstall the RealTek drivers and everything yet on rebooting and still same problems as before. Help?

06-11-2006, 06:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sherwin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 OS: Win XP	I did that with no avail so I think I might as well take it to the store and ask the guy to fix it up for me. Thanks a lot for you help though Matt.

07-04-2006, 11:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
computersSUCK Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP	I am having this same problem. I tried to get the free trial for "soundtaxi" and now my computer will not play any sound files. When I try to play music nothing happens. I uninstalled soundtaxi but other than that I have NO IDEA what I'm supposed to do to fix it. I don't want to reformat the computer.

07-04-2006, 11:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sherwin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 OS: Win XP	Well i took it to the shop and the man fixed it up. He said that the drivers were installed, but not started. He said he needed to go online and download the necessary drivers or program to start it. if you can't figure out what you need to download or do maybe try email the people from the soundtaxi website. hope i helped

07-08-2006, 04:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
computersSUCK Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP	I sent an email to them several days ago but I still haven't gotten any responce. Is there any chance you could tell me what the software is if you remember, or if you can ask your computer guy.

07-09-2006, 09:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
IHateSoundTaxi Guest Posts: n/a OS:	computersSUCK, I am experience the EXACT SAME PROBLEM you are. In fact, I have even attempted to install new audio hardware with the same result. The device is added in Device Manager, but no Audio Mixer is detected. :/ I have even manually removed the SndTDriverV32.sys file from the registry, but I fear there is another device somewhere that is hooking in and preventing Windows from allowing our sound cards to work. SoundTaxi blows! I hope I don't have to reinstall Windows! Ugg! If anyone finds a solution, please post it here in this thread. If I find one, I'll be back here to report it. Thank in advance!!

07-09-2006, 08:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
IHateSoundTaxi Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Well, I have a solution. I called my brother, who is a systems technician for a Computer Repair company and he told be to do a "Repair" install to fix the SoundTaxi issue. In fact, this is what he had to do to solve this very problem. So I popped in my Windows CD and did a repair install. Because of such, I didn't lose any settings on my computer, only my systems drivers where all rolled back. So, all I have to do now is update all of my system drivers to get the latest (Windows Update) and I'm all set. The good thing though, I have sound again and everything seems to be as it was, except the updating of the system drivers off Windows Update and/or manufacturers website. Whew! Good to have everything restored. If you need to do the same, do the following. Reboot system with your OS disk (WinXP) and then boot off the CD. Then skip the Recovery Console and select Install Windows. Next press F8 to agree to the terms. Next, you'll have the option to Install Windows, or do a '(R)epair' install. Press 'R' and do the repair install. After that, simply let the system do the install. You will be asked a couple other options later on, but that should do it. Depending on the speed of your system, install can take approximately 30 minutes.

07-10-2006, 06:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
bundybear Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7 OS: windowx XP	g'day i have the same problem has anyone found another way around this as i have miss placed my windows cd at the minture and don't ready want to do a repair right now as last time it messed up and i had to reinstall. thanks for any help

07-10-2006, 03:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
bundybear Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7 OS: windowx XP	well i found my XP cd but still don't want to to a repair install as it is only sp1 not sp2 and i have a limited download so don't feel like downloading all the updates again. is there another way around this? thanks for any help

07-10-2006, 04:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Bundybear:try start,run and type sfc /scaannow It will ask you for your Windows cd. This scans the windows files and replaces missing and damaged files. __________________

07-10-2006, 04:53 PM	#16 (permalink)
bundybear Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7 OS: windowx XP	thanks i am trying the now, hopefully it works as this is becomeing a real pain. i was looking around and i have found that in my hardwear properties that none of my multimedia devices have started. it saids that the driver is enabled but has not been started. well let you know how sfc /scannow works. thanks

07-10-2006, 05:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
bundybear Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7 OS: windowx XP	no luck with the scan, still not working. here is a screen shot of the driver not starting. don't know if this is the cause of the trouble or there is something else that is stopping it.

07-11-2006, 03:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
bundybear Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7 OS: windowx XP	DELETED. looks like i am not welcome to post here so i will delete my fix i found. sorry but i didn't think i was doing anything wrong please delete my other postes if there are problem i just tryed but i can't Last edited by bundybear; 07-11-2006 at 03:45 PM.

07-11-2006, 04:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
IHateSoundTaxi Guest Posts: n/a OS:	bundybear, I got the same "warning" too. REMOVED BY MODERATORS. REASON: Rude/offensive content. So.. I thank you for your post anyway. I won't be posting here anymore too. Last edited by TheMatt; 07-15-2006 at 10:27 PM.

07-15-2006, 12:31 PM	#20 (permalink)
computersSUCK Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP	I got a message back. Dear Customer I am really sorry for the troubles the installation caused. Please reboot you PC, step into the boot manager and select "start last good configuration" Kind regards Christine