No sound with media player or anything!

clutterfree_2

Hi
Me again, all was well until I wanted to use my windows media player to update zen.
I have no sound at all playing discs etc it comes up with

Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem with your sound device. There might not be a sound device installed on your computer, it might be in use by another program, or it might not be functioning properly.

I did have a message to update software after downloading lots of updates from windows but it won't let me & says I need a cd?
Please help you guys are great many thanks

Ephemera

Restart your computer, has been happening a few times for me, too.

Hope that helps!

Ephemera

Oh, haven't tried to use Media Player to update my Zen...as yet. It is possible that the Creative Centrale software is running in the background if you have it on your PC... restarting should stop that... good luck.

clutterfree_2

Thanks have restarted but no change
But had more more options with multimedia audio controller it wants to install new hardware & is asking me where it would be? I haven't a clue gave me the option of d drive is it there?
Any help would be appreciated thanks

clutterfree_2

Hi
Checked my device manager in my computer under the multimedia audio controller there is a big yellow question mark any ideas?
thanks again

clutterfree_2

Hi
anyone any ideas? think it may be after doing my updates & clearing the virus.
Please help really stuck
Thanks

mustbemad

Hi Clutterfree,

It sounds like you are missing the driver for your audio card - try going to the manufacturer of your laptop/desktop's website to see if they have a support section. You just need to look for a driver for your make of audio card and download/install it.

hth's

MBM x

clutterfree_2

Hi thanks for that but have a problem as laptop is old & is from Tiny who went out of business ages ago, bit scarred of downloads after having all the problems with the virus etc!!
How do I know the make of the audio card (not too good with this sort of thing)
Thanks

fwor

If it's a laptop then you will almost certainly be using the on-board sound device, not a separate sound card.

You should be able to identify the chipset using PC Wizard:

http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php

Although you don't like downloading utilities, this one is widely used and has a good reputation for being malware-free.

It should tell you the chipset (probably Realtek, ESS or one of a few other specialist chip makers) and you can then go direct to their website for drivers.

clutterfree_2

Thanks fwor will check it out tomorrow is it easy to use for a novice like myself? You people really are so helpful any idea how this happened? Was it to do with my virus problems?
Thanks again

fwor

clutterfree wrote: »

is it easy to use for a novice like myself?

Yes, it shouldn't be a problem. When you run PCWizard.exe it takes a while to load up while it examines your system. You then just need to click on the Multimedia (loudspeaker) icon at the top left under Hardware.

The first item in the panel on the right should be the audio device. If you click on it, more info should be displayed in the bottom panel.

One other thought: do you have any CDs that originally shipped with the laptop? If so, the device drivers will also probably be on that...