Mixer??

[Chris Devol]

Using XP.

I "disabled" my SoundBlaster PCI card (which has a blown left channel) and
reverted to the built-in Yamaha card on the motherboard. Everything worked
fine at that point.

But then I "uninstalled" the SB software and removed the card.

Now I can't access the Windows mixer (sndvol32.exe). I get a message saying
that I must install one.

When I go to control panel\Sounds and audio devices\ the dialog box says I
have no sound device.

But I do get sound through headphones, can play CD's and wave files, etc. So
obviously the Yamaha card is functioning. Just no mixer.

Any ideas?

 

[Galen]

In Chris Devol <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Using XP.

I "disabled" my SoundBlaster PCI card (which has a blown left
channel) and reverted to the built-in Yamaha card on the motherboard.
Everything worked fine at that point.

But then I "uninstalled" the SB software and removed the card.

Now I can't access the Windows mixer (sndvol32.exe). I get a message
saying that I must install one.

When I go to control panel\Sounds and audio devices\ the dialog box
says I have no sound device.

But I do get sound through headphones, can play CD's and wave files,
etc. So obviously the Yamaha card is functioning. Just no mixer.

Any ideas?

I dug this fix out from when the icon's not displayed in the notification
area as it's a good description of the method to extract the file. I'd give
this a try and see if it does the trick for you:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive. Press and hold down the SHIFT key as you insert the CD-ROM to prevent
it from starting automatically.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
4. Type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER
after each line, where CD-ROM drive is the drive letter of the computer's
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP CD-ROM, and system_root
is the path and folder name where the Windows system files are located
(generally C:\Windows):
CD-ROM drive:
cd i386
expand sndvol32.ex_ system_root\system32\sndvol32.exe


Note that there is a space between "ex_" and "system_root" in this
command.

For example, if your computer's CD-ROM drive is drive E, and the
folder that contains the Windows system files is C:\Windows, type the
following lines at the command prompt (pressing ENTER after each line):
e:
cd i386
expand sndvol32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe
5. Type exit to quit the command prompt.


Give that a shot and see if it does what you're wanting?

Galen
--

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me
the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am
in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial
stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for
mental exaltation." -- Sherlock Holmes

 

[Chris Devol]

In Chris Devol <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:


I dug this fix out from when the icon's not displayed in the notification
area as it's a good description of the method to extract the file. I'd
give this a try and see if it does the trick for you:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM drive. Press and hold down the SHIFT key as you insert the CD-ROM
to prevent it from starting automatically.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
4. Type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER
after each line, where CD-ROM drive is the drive letter of the computer's
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP CD-ROM, and
system_root is the path and folder name where the Windows system files are
located (generally C:\Windows):
CD-ROM drive:
cd i386
expand sndvol32.ex_ system_root\system32\sndvol32.exe


Note that there is a space between "ex_" and "system_root" in this
command.

For example, if your computer's CD-ROM drive is drive E, and the
folder that contains the Windows system files is C:\Windows, type the
following lines at the command prompt (pressing ENTER after each line):
e:
cd i386
expand sndvol32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\sndvol32.exe
5. Type exit to quit the command prompt.


Give that a shot and see if it does what you're wanting?

Galen

No. sndvol32 is already present in the system32 folder. The problem is that
clicking on it gives a "no mixer installed" message.

 

[theplectrum]

No. sndvol32 is already present in the system32 folder. The problem is
that clicking on it gives a "no mixer installed" message.

You haven't completely un-installed your SB drivers/software. You'll need to
go into the Registry to do this (back it up BEFORE you attempt anything). Do
a search for Creative and delete anything it comes up with that has to do
with your ex soundcard.

Also, take your SB card out of the PC.

Download the latest XP specific software from the manufacturer's website,
then un-install your on-board sound system (software and hardware), re-boot
and let XP "recognise" the sound system. Re-install the latest drivers.

Cheers,
Jerry

 

[Chris Devol]

You haven't completely un-installed your SB drivers/software. You'll need
to go into the Registry to do this (back it up BEFORE you attempt
anything). Do a search for Creative and delete anything it comes up with
that has to do with your ex soundcard.

Also, take your SB card out of the PC.

Download the latest XP specific software from the manufacturer's website,
then un-install your on-board sound system (software and hardware),
re-boot and let XP "recognise" the sound system. Re-install the latest
drivers.

Cheers,
Jerry

The key was to uninstall the built-in Yamaha card and let Windows
re-recognize it. Now everything works fine. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

[Guest]

OK, I have exactly the same problem as Chris... but for me, uninstalling the
drivers and reinstalling them hasn't help.
This is the situation:
I have no idea how or when the problem has started, I jus turned the PC on,
and there were no sound devices in the "Sounds And Audio Devices Setup"
window. The drivers are fine, and I even tried a USB soundcard i have, that
worked fine on another PC. When checking the devices under the driver itself,
the mixer (for instance) states the following: "The driver is enabled but had
not been started".

Any ideas?

Thanks!