Windows Audio service doesn't start on startup

Discussion in 'Software' started by tinutuva, Jul 23, 2010.

  1. tinutuva

    tinutuva Private E-2

    I'm running Windows XP SP2 with Realtek Audio and when I turned on my system 2 days ago I got a message "Generic Host Process for Win32 Has Encountered a Problem and Must Close".

    I closed the dialog box and found that I didn't have any sound.:(

    I figured it had to be something with the drivers since I get the Windows startup sounds but then the sound stops working after Windows finishes loading.

    I reinstalled the sound drivers, rebooted, and got the same error message and no sound. I downloaded the latest versions and installed them, still the same:cry

    I saved the Error Files from the Temp folder (appcompat.txt, manifest.txt, svchost.exe.hdmp, and svchost.exe.mdmp) in case they were needed to diagnose the problem.

    I looked at the details and it was in szModName ntdll.dll so I downloaded the latest version and replaced it in the Windows/System32 folder and the Windows/System32/dllcache folder, reinstalled the drivers and rebooted. This time the error message was gone but I still didn't have any sound.:mad

    Yesterday I searched the threads here and saw a response by Halo to thread http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=216614
    I checked and it's set to Automatic but it wasn't started so I started it manually and I had sound. :celebrate

    (I did click "Thanks")

    Today when I booted up the sound was still off. :( It's still set to Automatic but I had to start it manually again.

    What do I need to do to get it to start on startup?
     
    tinutuva, Jul 23, 2010
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Seems as if the Generic Host Process for Win32 Has Encountered a Problem and Must Close error maybe the cause, have you checked your PC for malware (virus/trojans)?

    Try the below and if given the all clear from our malware experts, we can try some other things.


    ps. Thanks for the THANKS in the other thread ;)
     
    DavidGP, Jul 23, 2010
    #2
  3. tinutuva

    tinutuva Private E-2

    Hi Halo,

    TimW said the scans took care of the malware.

    Now when I boot up I hear the Windows "Welcome" sound but I'm still getting the error message "Generic Host Process for Win32 Has Encountered a Problem and Must Close".

    When I open Services, Windows Audio is set to Automatic but it's not started. After I start it manually and I get sound and the Volume control panel opens and works.
     
    tinutuva, Jul 25, 2010
    #3
  4. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi


    Enter Services and open the Windows Audio service and click the Dependancies tab and in the top windows of the two you should see a list of other services that the Windows Audio service depends on being started and running/automatic

    So make sure each one of them is Started and set to Automatic, may need to click the small + symbol next to some to show them all.

    Once they are all confirmed as Started and set to Automatic reboot and fingers X'd
     
    DavidGP, Jul 26, 2010
    #4
  5. tinutuva

    tinutuva Private E-2

    Thanks Halo, I followed your instructions and after I rebooted the sound is back
    :celebrate

    It didn't put the Volume icon in the System Tray automatically but I don't use that much so I can always go to Control Panel if I need it.

    FYI in the past week I've sent the Error Report to Microsoft 15-20 times and twice I received an additional message to Click a link to go to the Microsoft website for more info. When I clicked on it today they said they know it's problem caused by Windows but they don't know what it is.

    They still don't know what the problem and you already had the solution!!

    Great job, keep up the good work!!

    :clap:clap:clap
     
    tinutuva, Jul 27, 2010
    #5
  6. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Great stuff had my fingers x'd all night ;) but it had to be something in services, especially as TimW had given you the malware all clear, just glad it was the service dependancies *phew*

    To be honest, while the report an error are good to do, they are more acted on in Windows 7 as I have found, it works really well, once the trigger number of unique reports of the same issue has been met. Windows 7 also has some troubleshooters that are really good for fixing issues like this.

    Actually they have this beta in Fix It (its based loosely off what Windows & has) http://fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com/Portal/ worth a look.

    And thanks your very welcome.
     
    DavidGP, Jul 27, 2010
    #6
  7. tinutuva

    tinutuva Private E-2

    Hi Halo,

    I'm sorry to report that the problem is back but erratic. Some reboots are ok, and some have the same problem.

    I check Services every time and the settings don't always stay the way I set them as per your instructions. Last time RPC wasn't started and when I started it Windows Audio started automatically. This time RPC was started but Windows Audio wasn't.

    I set them both to start Automatically and to Restart if they fail to start. Sometimes the settings are different the next time I boot up.

    I'm wary about trying Windows Beta programs since the "final" programs have so many problems and conflicts with other software.

    Is there anything else that might fix this?
     
    tinutuva, Jul 28, 2010
    #7
  8. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    They have a non beta live online Fix it that you could try HERE (audio should be 3rd one down on the page)

    What are your security programs? please list all, just wondering if something else is affecting this.
     
    DavidGP, Jul 28, 2010
    #8
  9. tinutuva

    tinutuva Private E-2

    Hi

    I don't think the problem is the sound driver since it's erratic and keeps changing. Now I'm also having a communication problem. After a while the computer stops communicating with the internet and both IE and Firefox can't go to any sites but I don't get a message that there's no connection.

    Should I open a thread in Software instead?
     
    tinutuva, Jul 28, 2010
    #9
  10. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    If you are having no perceeved driver issues and the error messages you where getting in this thread have disapeared and now its looking like a communications issue, then yes the Software forum maybe a good option.

    What I would suggest is this one last thing in this thread before you start a new on, in that irratic behaviour could be a 3rd party application, so to have a quick look at that, try the below steps one at a time.

    1. Boot into Safe Mode (F8 at boot and choose Safe Mode with Networking) and try the internet, if ok then one of your startups could be causing this.

    2. If not and OK as above, also try this and click Start > Run and type msconfig and hit enter, then the startup tab and disable everything, then reboot and test PC and Interent, if ok, re-enable and reboot on each entry until you find a culprit.
    2a. I would be tempted to unsinstall all security applications to test they are not the cause, one could well be corrupt and causing random issues.

    If not one this highlights an issue strt a new thread in Software.
     
    DavidGP, Jul 29, 2010
    #10

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds