No sound device installed

Hi, I need help.

I have had my computer since November 2006. It has Windows XP. Anyway, had some problems recently and a tech reformatted it for me. Well, now there is no sound device. I have no CD that came with the computer with that hardware on it. I'm frazzled and don't know what else to do. I've searched through forums and online and I end up even more confused.

I'm slow when it comes to this stuff so be patient with me. The error message I receive when trying to play music on Media Player is: Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem with your sound device. There may not be a sound device installed on your computer, it may be in use by another program, or it may not be functioning properly.

Is there a website I can download a sound device or how does that even work. Please, help!

 

Greetings, natosha.

What is the make and model # of your machine? Please supply that, as well as the following:

Download and install Everest, a free system information tool.

Run Everest and click Report (top menu) > Report Wizard > Next - Choose System Summary Only > Next - Choose Plain Text > Finish and wait for report to generate.
Click Save to File and leave the File Name as Report, then click the Save as Type dropdown and choose Report files (*txt) - click Save (n.b. Save to desktop, use Browse to locate desktop).

Then attach your log to your next post per these instructions: HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post.

 

Hi,

The computer is called Ultra. Where is the model number located? There is a sticker on top the tower with product key numbers/letters. There is also one on the back with the serial number.

 

Ok - download, unzip and install this file. Reboot, see if your symptoms change.

 

Check your device manager and see if anything is coming up in yellow. To get there go start > control panel > system > hardware tab > device manager. Most likely your audio will be flagged. Who is the computer manufactured by?

 

For reference: looks like this page holds the driver downloads for the motherboard.

 

Caliban, thank you so very much! I have sound again! :-D

 

Hmm, now that my sound is back, I'm reminded only one speaker works. Would you have any idea why? A few years back I bought new speakers and it did the same thing so those were returned.

On the master volume, I can move the wave balance all the way to the left and the left speaker works properly. When I move it all the way to the right speaker, you can barely hear music coming out with the volume full blast. It has always been this way. I'm pleased with what sound I do have so really I'm curious as to what causes this.

 

Glad you got at least some sound back. :major

There's always the possibility that the OEM manufacturer of your machine uses some kind of proprietary audio setup that could cause this, but that's unlikely.
How are you connecting the speakers? Usually, the output plugs are color-coded and/or have small diagrams imprinted near them - the line out plug is normally green, but you can always try another plug to see if anything's mislabeled.
If there is a front panel connector, try that.
Have you tried a set of headphones to see if the symptoms change?

 

The speaker plug is green and it is plugged to the back of the tower to the same color. I also tried plugging it into the orange and blue holes. No sound at all there.

The front of the tower has the orange hole for what looks like a mic. The white one next to it is for headphones. Speaker plugged into headphone on the front works just the same way until I push down on the part plugged in. Then it will play both speakers. It's as if there is a short or something. Plugged in my headphones to headphones plug and same thing happens.

I can plug my headphones into the green plug in the back where my speakers go and only one side works.

Sooo, with all that, I have no idea!

 

And there you have it. Are you comfortable with exploring the interior of your machine? If so, you might take a look, see if there are any obvious clues, such as loose connections, stray bits of metal, dust bunnies, etc.

 

I have the same problem, it shows sound device not installed. The sound comes and goes as it pleases. When you start the computer, some times the sound is there, but within minutes the sound stops and no sound device installed. i cannot see any sound device in the device manager when this happens.
I have a HP Pavilion DV6700 entertainment notebook. It has some conxanent sound or something.

If anybody can help me on this I will really appreciate it.
Thanks