Windows XP forgets about sound device when shutting off!

[jonas]

Is there anyone out there who could help me with the strangest sound problem ever?

I'm running Windows XP. I've tried four different sound cards, all of them which have given the same results. Right now I'm using one called Creative AudioPCI (ES1371 ,ES1373) WDM.

I place my sound card in my computer. I start it up, and it naturally tells me new hardware has been added. It's installing itself, and works perfectly. I play games, watch movies, surf the Internet, no problems at all.

I turn my computer off.

Next time I turn it on, there's no sound. Nothing works. My computer tells me that the sound card is still active, but when I check under available sound devices, it tells me there are no. I try to inactivate and activate again, but it doesn't work.

I'm placing my sound card in a new slot, and everything repeats. It's installing, working fine, and then stops working whenever I restart.

PLEASE someone help me with this! Thanks!

Jonas

[pip22]

The problem may be if you are using Windows built in driver rather than the Creative one. If you didn't get a driver CD with the card, you can download an official one from Creative here:
http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/

Be sure you identify your particular soundcard model correctly by name.

[jonas]

Thanks for your reply!

However, the problem remains. I was sure your solution was right when I read it. "CT4810" it says on my sound card, so I downloaded and installed the exact drivers for Windows XP, but I'm still experiencing the same thing. Also, for some reason, if I update "Media Control Devices", my sound card works for as long as my computer is powered on.

[ron999]

try reinstalling xp to clean install maybe that will help you out

[rennervision]

I'm having almost the exact same problem and, for what it's worth, here's what I know...

My PC is brand new. I built it about a month ago and have been experiencing this problem since day one. Although I was sure it wasn't a virus or spyware issue, I scanned everything and found nothing.

This is a Sound Blaster 16 PCI. I know the sound card is not defective, because this is the second Sound Blaster I've used. (The first one was a different model, but experienced the same problem.) I've also tried two different PCI slots.

I've tried three different sets of drivers - the ones from the original install disc, updated ones available by download, and the ones provided with Windows XP (like the ones described by the original poster).

I've also uninstalled the sound drivers for my motherboard and disabled the onboard sound in the BIOS in case this was causing a conflict.

Now - here's the thing I've discovered that makes no sense. Like jonas said, if I shutdown my PC and start it back up, it's as if I don't have a sound card anymore. It will still appear in my hardware settings, but if I play a game the sound is terribly distorted with cracking and popping noises.

UNLESS I restart my PC. That's right - as long as I select restart instead of shutdown and allow the PC to go through the reboot process my sound card will work perfectly. This really has me confused, but I hope it's at least a clue for someone smarter than me to figure out what is happening.

I've used this card before without incident on an older machine also using XP. However, starting this new machine with the same OS apparently does not load my sound card drivers - only by rebooting it does it load my sound card drivers! Truly weird, and if anyone can explain why before I pull my hair out, you have my eternal thanks.