WinXP System Sounds Won't Work!

event sounds malfuntion

[poppapug]

After installing sp2, my system sounds (startup, new mail, default beep, exit windows, etc) stopped working. My speakers work fine so that's not the problem. When I visit control panel > sound & audio devices > sound tab, my "sound scheme" is set on "default" and each sound "preview" works just fine. But, the actual event sounds (like new mail) don't work. I've searched everywhere trying to solve this problem...... HELP! :)

[bill]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld poppapug.

Some others have had this problem as well: Sound Scheme Stops Working in Win XP SP2? [webmasterworld.com] However I don't see a solution in that thread.

Have you tried running XP's Sound Troubleshooter?
Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP [support.microsoft.com]

There are registry tweaks for restoring system sounds, but that might be more of a last resort. Another area you might want to check first is the possibility of a corrupted user profile. Make a new profile on the machine and see if you have the same problems.

[poppapug]

I read "Sound Scheme Stops Working in Win XP SP2?" also but found no fix. Yes, I've been through XP Sounds troubleshooting without success. Thinking that a file or regestry was messed up, I've even re-installed XP.

[richlowe]

Have you tried checking the vendor of the sound card for an updated driver or just reinstalling the driver?

Richard

[Angelis]

You have to do that really, XP has a habit of installing the wrong driver or in some cases the user does because they click install anyway on that not digitally signed page.

Make sure you have the right drivers...

[poppapug]

My sound card is not the problem. My sound works perfectly because I can listen to music, etc.

When I visit control panel > sound and audio devices > sound tab, all the system sounds work fine when I click on the preview of each. The actual event sounds (new mail, etc.) are the ones that don't work.

[bill]

Have you tried creating another profile to see if the sounds work there?

[poppapug]

BINGO Bill! All sounds work fine under a new profile.
Evidently, some settings are screwed up in my current profile. Hmmm, now I need to figure out how to save all current files, email, preferences in a "new" user account. Thanks so much for all the help:)

[bill]

Glad that worked out for you. Corrupted profiles can do other nasty things as well. There are a ton of articles out there about copying and moving Windows profiles. Hopefully you can find a quick remedy that way.