Error when clicking on the Volume Control Icon

[Guest]

When I first boot up the computer, it appears that everything is working
well. I am able to click on the volume icon and change the levels. But
shortly after I play music, I'm unable to adjust the audio levels. In fact,
when I click on the icon, it states the following" Ther are no active mixer
devices available. To install mixer devices, go to Control Panel, click
Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Add Hardware". I right clicked
the icon and went to adjust audio properties, I now see everything greyed
out. When I do go to the control panel, I do see all of the devices, but
the location states "unknown". Why is this happenning?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

If there are no problems with your sound card...

Make sure that the Windows Audio services is set to Automatic and running.

Open Services...
Start | Run | Type: services.msc | Click OK |
Scroll down to and double click Windows Audio |
Set the startup type to Automatic | Click Apply |
Click the Start button | When the service starts, click OK |
Close Services

Open the Device Manager and make sure that there are no problems with your
sound card.

Open Device Manager...
Start | Run | Type: devmgmt.msc | Click OK |

Scroll down to Sound, video and game controllers, click the [+] and look for
any of the following....

Device Manager Device Conflicts

<quote>
A black exclamation point (!) on a yellow field indicates the device is in
a problem state. Note that a device that is in a problem state can be
functioning.

A problem code explaining the problem is displayed for the device.

A red "X" indicates a disabled device. A disabled device is a device that is
physically present in the computer and is consuming resources, but does not
have a protected-mode driver loaded.

A blue "i" on a white field on a device resource in Computer properties
indicates that the Use Automatic Settings feature is not selected for the
device and that the resource was manually selected. Note that this does not
indicate a problem or disabled state.

A green question mark "?" in Device Manager means that a compatible driver
for this device is installed, indicating the possibility that all of the
functionality may not be available.
<quote>
From...
Troubleshooting Device Conflicts with Device Manager
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310126

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In