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General discussion

sound not responding

Mar 24, 2004 6:12AM PST

WindowsXP,

I get a message that the hardware is not responding or that another application is already using the sound.
Windows Media Player error: Error ID = 0x80040256, Remedy ID = 0x00000000.

Do you think I need to change the sound card, or is it a software problem?

I tried to trace the hardware but it seems to be working fine (as far as I know).

Any suggestions please.

Discussion is locked

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Re:sound not responding
Mar 24, 2004 9:14AM PST

it is a software problem. your need to update your device drivers for the sound card first. this will be at the vendor's web site. if that doesn't work, then you need to see if other applications can play sound when Media Player has problems. run some other program that plays sound like QuickTime and see what happens.

Herb...

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Re:Re:sound not responding
Mar 31, 2004 12:36AM PST

Hello Herb,
thanks for the reply.

Im a bit of a newbie and not to sure how you mean by "update your device drivers for the sound card " and "this will be at the vendor's web site".

I bought this PC from a private owner with the software, O/S, etc. already installed in it (very likely from a second party)Wink

Is there any other way around this problem or I have to buy another O/S or PC.
I dindnt want to lose the software I aready have.

Please any tips, Thanks.

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Re:Re:Re:sound not responding
Apr 1, 2004 9:44AM PST

there aren't any general directions. this is entirely specific to the sound card, so you have to identify the sound card, the web site, and the right model of sound card so that you can get the right drivers. if you did not get any manuals, then you are going to have to figure this out from the person you bought it from. installing another OS or reinstalling the current one won't help because you'll still end up having to find the drivers. looking in Device Manager shows you the chipset used by the sound card, but usually isn't much good after that.

Herb...

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Re: sound not responding
Aug 13, 2004 4:12AM PDT

Take a look in 'Services' in the Computer Management console for "Windows Audio" and make certain that the service defaults to 'Automatic' and that the service has been started.