Can not play Audio from CD or online in Win XP

I am working with a frieend's laptop, and he complains that he doesn't get any sound. I find that Windows Media Player 9 is not able to recognize the files on an audio CD, and will not play it, however, if I copy the music into Media Player as a .wma file, I can play it and hear the sound over the speakers or headphones. Is there a need for an audio cd codec, and if so how do I get one?

I tried to install a "Media Player Classic" with an "Essential Codecs Pack", but that crashed when it tried to update, and it didn't do any good for the CD.

Also, when viewing online video (and I assume audio) clips, there is no sound.

Thanks for any help!

BJ

 

If no one here at majorgeeks has any ideas, does anybody know a good resource for troubleshooting audioproblems etc.?

 

WMPlayer 10 is my preference, don't like 11, 12 is in Beta but prefer it to 11.
http://www.microsoft.com/DownLoads/...53-3759-40cf-80d5-cde4bbe07999&displaylang=en
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Windows_Media_Player_d4340.html

There is a Vista Codec pack here on MG's by Shark that I use on our machines. One codec pack per machine, if installing a new one remove the old one. The link is for NT, 2000, XP and Vista. There are also codec packs by Shark for WIndows7 and x64 operating systems in the Multimedia section.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Vista_Codec_Package_d5326.html

First place to check for no audio on line is internet options in the control panel under the Advanced tab in the Multimedia section be sure to have Play sounds in web pages checked. I am assuming you are running a version of XP and that Windows is kept up to date. The World Wide Web is a rough neighborhood, it's tough to keep folks from throwing rocks at Windows, glad I found this place early on...
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