no sound anymore and error messeges

[inquisitive]

my computer sudenly has no sound


in win media player
it plays video
when sound file is actioned: a note comes up:

cannot plyback the audio stream: no audio hardware is available, or the hardware is not responding [error = 80040256]



in another wav player device: a note comes up:

MMSYSTEM004 the specified device is already in use. wait till free, then try again



in cd player... it runs and counts music track seconds, but no sound



speakers are connected... although volumn control seems absent from task bar now?


have reloaded drivers.. still no joy


any knowledge, thoughts on the cause and fix?
would appreciate, thanks

[davidwebb]

hi i can help maybe

SYMPTOMS
When you try to play a video file that contains audio in Windows Media Player, you may receive one of the following error messages:


Cannot play back the audio stream: no audio hardware is available (Error=40258).
-or-

Cannot play back the audio stream: no audio hardware is available, or the hardware is not responding (Error= 80040256)
CAUSE
This issue may occur if either of the following conditions is true:
Your computer does not have a sound card, or your sound card is not working correctly.
Another program is currently using your sound card, so it is not available for Windows Media Player to use.

Note This cause is specific to Microsoft Windows NT-based or Microsoft Windows 95-based computers.
The hardware acceleration is set to too high.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method.
No Sound Card Installed
If you do not have a sound card in your computer, obtain and install one.
Sound Card Is Not Working Properly
Verify that your sound card works correctly by testing it in another program. Double-check to make sure the drivers are installed properly and check for updated drivers.
Another Program Is Using Your Sound Card
If you have a sound card in your Windows NT-based or Windows 95-based computer, verify that no other programs that need your sound card are running. If such programs are running, quit those programs.
Hardware Acceleration Slider Is Set too High
If the Hardware acceleration slider is not set to None, move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None.

To do this in Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition, follow these steps:
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Multimedia.
Click the Audio tab, and then click the Advanced Properties button under Playback.
Move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None in the Performance section.
Click OK, and then click OK again.
Click Yes if you are prompted to restart your computer.
To do this in Windows Millennium Edition and Windows 2000, follow these steps:
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Sounds and Multimedia.
Click the Audio tab, and then click the Advanced button under Sound Playback.
Click the Performance tab, and then move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None.
Click OK, and then click OK again.
Click Yes if you are prompted to restart your computer.
To do this in Windows XP, follow these steps:
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, and then click Sounds and Audio Devices (or just Sound and Audio Devices in Classic View).
Click the Audio tab, and then click the Advanced button under Sound Playback.
Click the Performance tab, and then move the Hardware acceleration slider to a notch closer to None.
Click OK, and then click OK again.
Click Yes if you are prompted to restart your computer.


please visit

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;236396

[inquisitive]

thanks for info.....

the three posibilities mentioned
#computer not having a sound card....... it does
#not having a working soundcard....... have tried it in:
win media player
cd player
a wav file player
...all with no sound recently and errors as said in post 1
#another device using sound card...... have rebooted and then opened a first device, but it stil says antother is using it... if so WHERE!?



####### This bit is interesting though:
Regarding the Hardware accelerater slider

Im running win98se.... and in multimedia/audio tab.... the 'advanced settings' button is now greyed out!
It never used to be, Im sure.

Is my sound card fried up?, perhaps...... is there a system check that 'points an arrow' at failed cards?

thanks

[davidwebb]

Im sure if you did a google search i bet you will find something there is a way to update the driver and see if that works as that happened to my graphics card and i updated it and graphics turned back to normal

goto

start > Control Panel > Sounds And Audio Devices > Hardware
>Then find your Sound Card > Click on it once and then click on Properties > Driver > Then Update Driver!! it will scan for upgrades on your pc or if it didnt find anything it will search the internet!! I hope this helps !!