Startup - missing some sounds, no automatic Themes

[Guest]

This problem started suddenly - not sure what's going on.

When Windows XP starts up, the Themes don't automatically start (even though
the setting is on automatically start). Also, some sounds aren't working, and
some sounds are fine:

Starting and ending windows - fine
Alerts - fine
Clicking link in Internet Explorer - missing
Windows Media Player - no sound
Email alert - wrong sound (just dings instead of usual new mail sound).

I'm doing an Ad-Aware check now, but both that and Norton came up clean a
couple days ago.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[NewScience]

Open Control Panel | Sounds and Audio Devices. All Sounds are associated
with certain events. Just peruse the list and click on the item in
question. The pathname for that sound is reflected in the textbox below.
If the item doesn't work (by clicking on the play button next to the box),
that file maybe corrupted. If the item is not set, use the Browse button
and choose what you want, click the play and see if it works.

 

[Guest]

Looks like the problem is more serious than that. In fact, in 'Sounds and
Audio Devices', the window says "No Audio Device". So I can't access any of
the sounds in that window.

Device manager doesn't list any problems, and I updated the sound driver -
didn't change. And I still get some sounds - just not, say, from Windows
Media Player, and certain other sounds.

It also doesn't explain why Themes is starting strangely for me (for
example, the taskbar starts blue, switches on its own to non-blue, and then
switches back to the blue again).

 

[Guest]

Do a malware/spyware check again, two days ago doesn't hack it.
If still no go, try a System Restore.
Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore.
Pick a time BEFORE the problem started, you can go back 90 days.
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XP - WNP
Today is the first day of the
rest of your life.
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rate it below.

 

[Guest]

Did another malware check - nothing came up.

I did a system restore. Afterwards, everything seemed okay at first. Roughly
5 minutes after restarting, though, the problem came back. Did a system
restore to an earlier date - same deal: fine for 5 minutes, and then problem.

The only difference from a regular restart, is the problem is there right
away after a restart. So something is affecting the computer after the system
restore.

Problem is first noted when the taskbar, etc. goes to the grey/peach colour.
Also, Control Panel | Sound and Audio Devices goes from normal to saying "No
Audio Device".