No sound - please help

[Guest]

I am no longer able to get sound output from my pc (running Windows xp home).

Windows Media player will not play sound files. When I go to Volume Control,
I am getting the following message:

"There are no active mixer devices available. To install mixer devices, go
to Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Add
Hardware. This program will now close.... OK"

Problem is:
1. There is not an option 'Printers and Other Hardware' in Control Panel -
nearest one is Printers and faxes.
2. I have done a system restore from a restore point from a fe days ago when
sound files played perfectly.

This seems to be across all sound - - whether .mp3 fles or Windows Media
Player ones from the hard-drive, as well as CDs and DVDs.

Any help would be most appreciated

Thanks

Simon

 

[Guest]

In Control Panel beside Add or Remove Programs is Add Hardware. Or, [IIRC],
if you open Add/Remove it's on the left side of that, too. You've likely got
a Multimedia Controller missing. Use the Add Hardware Wizard by clicking the
Add HW icon. [Let Windows find it/ choose it is the default]
If that doesn't work, go to Windows update. Use the lower (2nd) button
there. After all the hoopla, look on the left. Click the "Hardware" optional
downloads. You may see "VinylAC'97......". If so, the answer is "Install",
for that one.