DpvSetup.exe / DirectPlay Voice can't be initialized. WTF, Microsoft?

[Peter]

When I go to the "Sounds and Audio Devices" control
panel, I try to use the "Sound Hardware Test Wizard", but
at the end of the test, I get this error:

"An error occurred during DirectPlay Voice setup.
The error code is 0x80004005."


Followed by this error:

"Windows cannot execute DpvSetup.exe, use Add/Remove
Programs control panel to install."


I have tried so many damn things to get this to work
(short of reinstalling windows).

WHY THE HELL CAN'T I USE MY SIMPLE MICROPHONE????????


so many people are having this problem, it's ridiculous.

I need help!

 

[Peter]

And I have tried the registry edit for DirectPlay, but
every time I go back to the test, the registry edits are
changed.

This is really annoying!!!