MIDI playback not working - GS Wavetable Synthesizer missing

[Rob]

I can't play midi files. I've a Sony Vaio (pcg-v505bp) with Yamaha AC-XG
audio.


in the Event Log I get this error:
The Microsoft Kernel GS Wavetable Synthesizer service failed to start
due to the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because
it has no enabled devices associated with it.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


I traced the 'Microsoft Kernel GS Wavetable Synthesizer' to the swmidi
service in the registry. As suggested by the URL, I can get further info:
c:\>sc query swmidi

SERVICE_NAME: swmidi
TYPE : 1 KERNEL_DRIVER
STATE : 1 STOPPED
(NOT_STOPPABLE,NOT_PAUSABLE,IGNORES_SHUTDOWN)
WIN32_EXIT_CODE : 1058 (0x422)
SERVICE_EXIT_CODE : 0 (0x0)
CHECKPOINT : 0x0
WAIT_HINT : 0x0

So, I don't know what exit code 1058 relates to.

Furthermore, there are no Midi Devices listed under the Sounds and Audio
Devices Properties dialog from Control Panel.

In Device Manager, however, the Yamaha AC-XG Audio Device has a
'WDM-based device' listed under 'MIDI devices and instruments'. The
Properties says 'This device is enabled and functioning properly'.

One last clue - running dxdiag, the Music tab lists 'Microsoft
Synthesizer' and 'Yamaha AC-XG WDM audio', both of which work with the test.

I've reinstalled Medla Player 10, and also the audio drivers.
I found generic drivers for the Yamaha AC-XG on one of Yamaha's sites,
but can't find any specific to the PCG-V505BP on Sony's sites (and can't
think how to install the originals unless I reinstall Windows).

So.. anyone know what's going on, or what the error code is referring to?

 

[Chris Laarman]

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

in the Event Log I get this error:
The Microsoft Kernel GS Wavetable Synthesizer service failed to start
due to the following error:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or
because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

At least you did try to find out! (not quoted)

Can you play bitmap-sound (WAV, MP3)?
If not, then the problem must be at that basic level.
If yes, then you were at the right level: MIDI.

As far as I can see, this software synthesizer consists of two parts (not
necessarily two files):
a program part and a data part.
Could the data part (the wave table or sound font) be missing (or
corrupted)? Its likely name and path is:
c:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\gm.dls

If you can't locate any DLS, try extracting GM.DLS from the CAB-files of the
Windows installation CD.

(I don't think that I could be of further assistance if this doesn't help.)

 

[Rob]

Can you play bitmap-sound (WAV, MP3)?

Yes, I can.

c:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\gm.dls

That file is present.

(I don't think that I could be of further assistance if this doesn't help.)

No worries, thanks for the reply