A sound card (also known as an audio card) is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs.
To use a sound card, the operating system typically requires a specific device driver. This is a low-level program that handles the data connections between the physical hardware and the operating system. Some operating systems include the drivers for some or all cards available, in other cases the drivers are supplied with the card itself, or are available for download.
Well-known Sound Card Driver Vendors
You may experience any of the following symptoms on your Windows XP-based computer:
- You do not hear sound from the computer's speakers or headphones.
- A sound seems to be played, but you do not hear anything.
- A sound is played, but it stops suddenly.
- The sound skips or misses in some areas.
- The sound is distorted or scratchy.
- The computer stops responding when a sound is played.
- The computer restarts when a sound is played.
- You receive an error message when you try to play sound. Error messages could include the following:
- MIDI output error detected.
- No wave device that can play files in the current format is installed.
- The CD Audio device is in use by another application.
- WAV sound playback error detected.
- Your audio hardware cannot play files like the current file.
Try the methods in the order in which they are presented. If one does not work, try the next. After you try each method, determine whether you can hear sound. To do this, play an audio file by using a program such as Windows Media Player.
Note Make sure that the output device (speakers or headphones) are plugged in and turned on. Also, make sure that the output device is not on mute and that the volume on the output device and on the program volume control is set high enough so that you can hear sound.
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Method 1: Try another sound device
If possible, plug a different output device into the computer. For example, if you have been using speakers, try a different pair of speakers or a set of headphones to make sure that the problem is not related to the device itself.
Determine whether you can hear sound. If you can hear sound, there is a problem with the original output device and the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, plug the original output device back into the computer and go to method 2.
Method 2: Use the Windows XP Sound Troubleshooter
Windows XP includes a troubleshooting program which could help you resolve your sound issues. Start the Windows XP Sound Troubleshooter automatically or manually and then answer each question on-screen in order to try to find a resolution.
Step 1: Start the Sound Troubleshooter
1. Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
2. Under Pick a Help Topic, click Fixing a problem.
3. In the navigation pane on the left, click Games, sound, and video problems.
4. In the topic pane, on the right side, click Sound Troubleshooter.
Step 2: Use the Sound Troubleshooter
1. Click the option that describes the problem that is occurring, and then click Next.
2. Repeat step 1 until your problem is resolved or until you have reached the end of the troubleshooting path.
Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try method 3.
Method 3: Update your Media Player software
If the sound problem that you are experiencing occurs when you use a media player such as Microsoft Windows Media Player, try updating your media player software.
Determine whether you can now hear sound. If you can hear sound, the issue is resolved. If you cannot hear sound, try method 4.
Method 4: Update sound drivers
Out-of-date sound drivers may cause sound problems. Check whether an updated sound driver is available. You can use Microsoft Update to help you determine your current sound driver and if an update is available.
If the sound driver is out of date, follow these steps to find the name and provider of your sound driver:
1. Click Start and then click Run.
2. Type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. Click the Sound tab.
4. Under Device, look for Name, and under Driver, look for Provider.
5. Click Exit.
Note: This article is from Microsoft Help and Support. Click here to view and download Sound Drivers.
Popular Sound Drivers
Tips: It's highly recommended to use driver updater tools as DriverScanner, Driver Detective and RadarSync (RadarSync now is published as Freeware) to update the latest drivers for your PC automatically.
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