Problem with Windows Media Player

prattmmc

Can anyone assist?
When I try and play a downloaded music track on Windows Media Player, I get the following message :

'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'

Can anyone offer any advice to overcoming this???

PS I do have a sound device because I can play music from disk

Not very computer literate, so simple advice required (if possible !!)

thanks

Mr_Skint_2

Right click my computer icon,Properties,hardware,Device manager, any yellow
exclamation marks in there and if so is it against your audio/sound.

XP User?

prattmmc

Have just tried that - thanks Mr Skint, but nothing to indicate an issue.
Yes, I operate Windows XP

Browntoa

something in Quicktime has screwed mine up.....can't get it to run some types of file and it loses sound

prattmmc

I also have Quicktime. Are you suggesting that uninstalling QT may help ??

Browntoa

have'nt tried that yet...just made another player my default

Toxteth_OGrady

Go into Control Panel and select 'Sounds and Audio Devices.' Select the 'Audio' tab and see what the default sound playback device is.

Also try going Start -> Run and type in dxdiag. Go to the Sound tab and test Direct Sound.

:cool:

TOG

prattmmc

TOG - you are a star.
Not sure exactly what I did, but having followed elements of your suggestions, I am back up and running with sound.
I think (although not completely sure!) that it was to do with the dxdiag bit !

Anyway - many thanks