Problem with system sounds.

What was the last thing you did before this problem occurs? Can you play WAV files?

Go to "My Computer" -> "Properties" -> "Hardware" -> "Device Manager". See if any hardware has an "!" mark on it, especially your sound card. If yes, reinstall your sound card driver.

Sometime if we keep on uninstalling programs, certain programs can delete the audio codecs as well. Go to "Control Panel" -> "Sound and audio device". Move to "Hardware" tab. Select "Audio codec" and click on "Properties". Inside, click on "Properties" tab.

The most important codec is "Microsoft ADPCM Audio CODEC". If you found out that it is missing, you need to reinstall Windows XP.

This codec exists and has a priority 2.Any other ideas?

By default the priority should be 1, so change it into 1 and see if they are working or not.

To ensure your Windows sound scheme is not set to "No sound", return to "Sounds and Audio Device" option and select "Sounds" tab. Change "Sound scheme" to "Windows Default". This sound scheme refers for Windows alert/login/logout/etc sounds and also MSN Messenger.

Problem not solved yet...

I seem to have discovered the answer to this problem.
1. go into regedit
2. navigate to the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER  AppEvents
3. click on AppEvents
4. in the key settings on your right delete the key under Data that is blank, NOT any keys that have (value not set) or a numerical value.
5. now in order to restore the ability to have the sounds associated with the correct events again, you will need a backup of the following registry entry  HKEY_CURRENT_USER/AppEvents/Schemes/Apps/.Default
6. to get this you have 2 choices
   A. log off and log on as a different user, and export that key from the other users registry. right click on the .Default key and choose export. (you will notice all sound events work properly with that user)
   B. export that key from somebody elses computer and bring it over to your computer. (if neither of these works, i have a backup I can email to whoever needs it)
7. when you have that backup registry key on your computer and you are logged in as the user who's sounds are not working, simply click it and click ok to importing it into your registry.
8. your sounds will be restored and able to be changed again.

I have used this fix on both my home and work computers running windows xp pro and it worked perfectly.

If anyone has any other questions concerning this please feel free to write, and as usual backup the registry before you mess with it.

This exact problem happened to me when I install Ulead DVD PictureShow 2 (which is a worthless program...DON'T GET IT!) I talked to their tech support and they said it was a reported problem but didn't have a solution, other than to remove the software. That didn't work (although I'm happy to have it off my system).

But one thing I tried DID work. That was to:
1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup. 2. The Backup or Restore Wizard starts.
3. Click Advanced Mode.
4. Click the Restore and Manage Media tab.
Expand the backup file that you want. For example, expand Backup.bkf created 01/01/2002 at 1:15 PM. Backup includes the date and time of the backup as part of the file name by default.

This takes your Windows settings back to a date when it worked properly. I hope this helps!

No entries in Restore and Manage Media tab.

Experienced the same problem with Ulead DVD Picture Show 2.  Requested a refund and have received no reply yet.

I am having the same issue (No system sounds and when adjusting the volume, hear the PC speaker).  Checked all codecs and tried Registry fix.  Still not working. I can manually play the sounds individually and they play fine.  

System Configuration:
Athlon XP 2100+
MSI KT4 Ultra Mainboard
GeForce2 Ti 64MB DDR Video
SMC 10/100 NIC
Benq 56x CDROM
Benq 32x10x40 CD-RW
Western Digital 40GB Hard Drive
300W Power Supply
Using onboard sound (CMI 8738)

If anyone has any advise, please let me know.

Thank you.

Same problem here. It started when I reinstalled XP Pro SP1 (from scratch).

XP 1800+ (running at higher speed - clue?)
A7V333 with onboard CMI8738

My CMI8738 is sharing IRQ (17) with IEEE
1394 host controller, as well as VIA USB enhanced host controller.

Hi, another problem that can be the reason is some strange information in the registry, go in the registry and look for hkey_current_user. Click on hkey_current_user. On the righthand site there should be no value type reg_sz, an empty field is NOT correct. Delete this empty entry. Now there should be reg_sz no value ( in Dutch is says: geen waarde ingesteld) The empty field is a leftover of some deleted or changed application and it disables system sounds. This also occured sometimes in Windows 2000!!

To rve58:


That fixed my problem.  Can't believe it was something so simple.  Thank you for your advice.

To rve58

After almost half a year trying to find the answer to this problem of the system sounds (see the original question) your answer WORKED.
Great, I think you are worth a lot of points so to speak.

Thanks

If you have PictureShow 2 and your problem with the sound events started after installation go to http://www.ulead.com/tech/dps/dps_ftp.htm
to download a patch that will fix this issue.  I just did and all my sounds are back.

bmiddaugh

Does it matter where I export the registry to? or what I name it?

thanks

To rve58:

Could you elaborate more on the registry trick for the system sounds.  When I go into hkey_current_user, mine says "Default   REG_SZ   (value not set)"  and that is all that is there.  But that is supposed to be there right?  Or do I delete that?  But I still don't have any system sounds.

Actually, to add to my last comment, if anyone else has any advice as to how to fix my Window XP system sounds, I would greatly appreciate it.  I did try bmiddaugh's method and that didn't work.  I also tried disabling the Windows Media Player SRS Wow effects and that didn't work either.  The only thing I can think of now, is to just do a fresh install of Windows XP.  I do believe my sound drivers are up to date, but I don't think that has anything to do with it because this just started to happen.  I didn't have problems previously.

Fox,

Basically here's how it goes. This looks like it's the solutions it fixed the problem for me.

Click on the start button. Go to Run Type in regedit

Once registry editor has opened up left click on the Hkey_Current_User key.
In the right hand area you will find a binary string value that says
Name: (default)
Type: REG_SZ
Data: VALUE NOT SET

Now if your data does NOT say value not set simply right click on the default string and delete.  Windows will immedately create you a new one. immediately restart your computer and you should hear startup sounds.

You're welcome!

-Avi

I had this problem too, until tonight.  I also have Windows XP Powertoys TweakUI for Windows XP installed.  If you have this installed, look in the General tree.  You must have a checkmark in the box before "Beep on errors".  If you don't have this checked, Windows Startup and Exit sounds will not play.  This also applies to the older version TweakUI 1.33.  Hope this helps you.

THAT'S IT!!  I've been trying for a year to solve this problem!  And the solution was so easy.  DUH!

to Lipuidmurr: the regedit solution didn't work for me (it was already 'value not set').

All sound are working fine (no driver problem) except the startup and shutdown sounds are missing.
anyone any idea?

Last thing I can think of is that the system sounds were taken over.
Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
Double Click on the Sound icon.
Click on the 'sounds' Tab which should be the second one.
Make sure there is a sound associated with Startup and Shutdown.

Last but not least are you running any Ulead software? They've had problems with some of their show like DVD pictureshow disabling sound and have put out windows XP patches.

I'll try to respond as soon as I see that you comment again :)

-@

hi, i have a problem on my sound system, please help me. when i started install winxp on my system. the sound started to become distorted and to play on a faster rate. what seems to be a problem?
im using creative sound blaster audioPCI

i already tried the regedit method by in some reasons i was unable to delete the (default)

@ Lipuidmurr: the sound are still associated and are playing when you manually click on them; and no Ulead Software installed....
thanx for your help, but i think i have to get used to my silent pc....

To: pentacost  Try downloading the latest drivers for the sound blaster card at www.soundblaster.com.  Then uninstall the current drivers and reinstall the one you've downloaded.  Hope this helps.

This is to bmiddaugh:  You said you would E-Mail Default key  and choose export. You have a
backup that you would email to whoever needs it. The backup registry key for sounds will be
restored and able to be changed again.  I have done everything you said I even tried to have
someone to help me its a cousin who lives in Fl. he tried every possible way to get back my
sounds. How do I get in touch with you for your E-Mail address. I am very frustrated Dell told
me the same take everything off and start over. Like someone else said he hung up on them
its been a nightmare from Day 1 with Dell. for me. This Windwos XP sure has giving me trouble.
One person said to me take step by step I created another account and the sounds work.
How can we get in touch with each other.(sodamousse) I am not an expert like some of you
but I like to do diffrent things on the computer thats why I got a new one I am retired now. I
did a great DVD of our trip Cross Country to 27 States. We sure have some beautiful states
we had a wonderful time put on 7,000 miles on our car. Please Help Me.  Thank You Again I
hope I am doing this the right way.

to samsym:

problem not yet solved. can think of some other way? anyways thanks

Still having trouble with my Logon sound and Logoff sound. Someone suggested the Multimedia
when you go in the INF folder and openSysoc.inf file. You say to go in compontents I did that
but it is not under components its under games.  My cousin from Fl. help me do this and he had
the same is me he has XP Pro. Under compontents their is not MultiM=ocgen.dll.OcEntry, Multimed.inf.hide,7"
it is not under compontents.  Only Games I tried it anyways but did not work.  Any other suggestion. Beside
making a new account..    Attention: BMIDDAUGH YOU SAY YOU HAVE A BACKUP REGISTRY KEY OT IMPORTING IT INTO
REGISTRY. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME TRYING TO WRITE ASKING IF YOU COULD SEND ME THAT REGISTRY KEY TO MAKE
MY SOUNDS WORK AGAIN HOW DO WE GET IN TOUCH WITH ONE ANOTHER. SOUDAMOUSSE.  WOULD GREATELY
APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.  OR DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER IDEAS.   THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SOUDAMOUSSE.   HELP  !!!! HELP !!!

Ok ladies and jellyspoon i have the answer try this


Open Control Panel and double click the Multimedia applet and click Advanced tab and then expand Audio Compression Codecs (on Windows XP, double click Sounds and Audio Devices, activate the Hardware tab and double click Audio Codecs and activate the Properties tab). Make sure that Microsoft IMA ADPCM Codec and Microsoft ADPCM Codec audio compression drivers have been installed. If so, check the Properties of both drivers and make sure they are enabled. Wave files that come with Four Winds are 4-bit compressed .WAV files. You cannot play them unless you have support for audio compression on your system. If the required audio codecs are not installed, please follow instructions at the bottom of this page


there are 2 microsoft codecs, i installed them both and hey presto sound lovley sound


shaun

@ highwayman: i didn't change the startup sound into anotherone, but still have the systemsounds activated - i think XP should play them without installing codecs. also they played when i bought the pc....
BT
ps: both of them are installed and enabled...

Thank You All soooo much... i've reinstalled before probably 3x to reinstate my system sounds (rely on my msn pages)... I could never figure it out. I've raided the registry with a search on system sound, sound, et.. Nothing.

I use DVD PictureShow2 (correction... DID)... uninstalled it after I did the registry fix... Unbelievable.. one silly empty key causing so much damage.

Glad I found this place. Thank You for saving me hours of reinstalling software, and the headaches of recovering data.

:)

Hello, this is my first post in here.

After reading all the possible solutions mentioned above, I still couldn't fix the problem related to the WinXP startup and shutdown sounds. I took matters with my hand and started testing different registry settings and finally I found a registry key that fixed the problem.

For those who still have the problem, backup your registry first and then go to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Sound

On the right pane there's Beep, if it's set to "no" then change it to "yes"

Hope it'll work for others too..

Regards..