Can't play MIDI files or select default MIDI playback device

[Guest]

Running XP Pro SP2 and can't hear MIDI files through Media Player. I can't
select a default Midi playback device from Sound options under control panel.
I can see the MS GM Synth in the list, but when I select it and click Apply
or OK, then open it again, it defaults to blank.

I can run DXDIAG and play direct music, using the MS GM Synth.

I can here MP3 and WAV files through media player.

Another small issue is, under sound options, when you select a sound for an
event, I can't play them back through there either?

The default playback and record device are set to AC97.

Any suggestions really appreciated....

Just downloaded WMP10 and still got same problem - it appears to play but no
sound.

 

[Chris Laarman]

maj3091 ([email protected]) in
(e-mail address removed):

Running XP Pro SP2 and can't hear MIDI files through Media Player. I
can't select a default Midi playback device from Sound options under
control panel. I can see the MS GM Synth in the list, but when I
select it and click Apply or OK, then open it again, it defaults to
blank.

I can run DXDIAG and play direct music, using the MS GM Synth.

I can here MP3 and WAV files through media player.

Another small issue is, under sound options, when you select a sound
for an event, I can't play them back through there either?

The default playback and record device are set to AC97.

Any suggestions really appreciated....

Just downloaded WMP10 and still got same problem - it appears to play
but no sound.

You seem to contradict yourself, and that makes it harder to get the
picture.

You had WMP before-10 and you could hear bitmap sound (WAV, MP3), apart from
system sounds.
You have WMP 10, and it appears to play bitmap sound, but you can't hear it.

You can play vector music (MIDI), but you can't save the GM Synth (wouldn't
that be GS Wavetable SW Synth?) used as the default.

It seems that all components (hard- and software) are present and working,
but that some settings (in the Registry, where else...) mix things up.

Firstly, try to fix the handling of bitmap sound. Only secondly try to fix
the vector sound, as it builds on the former.
Be sure to have all relevant sliders in the Volume Control visible, set
above zero and not muted. Note that the SW Synth slider is dependent on the
Wave one.

I'm sorry that I can't be more specific and helpful.
Please post your findings if you get things fixed.

 

[Guest]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply and firstly let me address the item you found confusing.

"> You had WMP before-10 and you could hear bitmap sound (WAV, MP3), apart
from

system sounds.
You have WMP 10, and it appears to play bitmap sound, but you can't hear it."

What I didn't mention in the first part is that WMP9 was looking like it
played the MIDI files but there was no sound, and installing WMP10 it was the
same result. BMP (Wav and Mp3) play fine with no issues.

"You can play vector music (MIDI), but you can't save the GM Synth (wouldn't
that be GS Wavetable SW Synth?) used as the default."...Yes the GM Wavetable
SW Synth is the one I was referring to, it is in the pull down list for
default devices, but If I select it, it won't save it! Come back into that
window after clicking OK and it appears blank again!

The volume settings are all OK and this is clarified by the fact that it
will play the MIDI files through the DXDIAG program.

I tend to agree with you that all components are installed, and it appears
to be registry level issues....unfortunately, thats a bit of a minefield and
I wouldn't even know where to start to be honest.

The thing that really confuses me, is the fact that it is a brand new
install of XP on a new machine, I don't see how the registry could have got
messed up so quickly!

Any further suggestions on fixing this would be appreciated.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Chris Laarman]

maj3091 ([email protected]) in
(e-mail address removed):

The thing that really confuses me, is the fact that it is a brand new
install of XP on a new machine, I don't see how the registry could
have got messed up so quickly!

So a mess-up is unlikely.

But at least part of the problem appears to concern unability to save
settings.

Then your problem might be with rights to do so. XP Pro by design makes a
fuss about authorization - which was one consideration for me to choose XP
Home (as I don't need that).

Log in to XP on an account with Administrator rights, and you may be able to
save your settings.

(I think that I have now exhausted my ideas on the case.)

 

[Guest]

Hi Chris,

Thanks again for the reply.

I never set up any users other than the default one and so I've made the
assumption that this user has Admin rights...

I'll certainly give that a check when I get home from work this evening....

Thanks again.

Regards,

Mark