Benjamin Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 I've had a few problems this week with settings on my system seeming to change without me touching anything.Most things I can live with except I've almost lost my sounds on the screen and also for incoming voice when I'm using VoiP sevice.I've been to control panel/sounds and audio devices but everything appears to be at max volume. I have Windows XP Pro.Would a system restore be liable to help or any other suggestions? Keep it simple please as I'm non-techie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Just a thought. or two.Try checking every volume control in sounds and audio devices for any mute boxes ticked Volume- Sounds- Audio- Voice.Then check (in contol panel) System - Hardware - Device manager and look for any red crosses.Try this and let me know how you get on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 No mute boxes ticked in Volume/sounds/audio/voice.In Device Manager there is one red cross under Sound, video and game controllers and it is listed as Unknown Device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Highlight the problem device, right-click on it and see if you can 'enable' it.You may have to re-boot your PC after you have done this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 That's cleared the red cross but it's done nothing for the system volume.By the way, thanks for your help so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Run a registry checker (you can download a free one from here)I presume you have run a virus check also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 Virus check OK.I used Registry Mechanic and came up with th efollowing result;Startup Programs 1Add/Remove Programs 19File Extensions 4Custom Controls 65Deep Scan 1,312Since I've no idea what a registry check is I don't know if these results are good, bad or indifferent. [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Those results are pretty bad. I use registry mechanic and sometimes get 2-3 problems identified.If you've used the repair facility your pc should run much more reliably. Have you got your sound back though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 5, 2008 Author Share Posted January 5, 2008 I've just run the free repair system and got the following;Total items found 1,404Total items ignored 0Total items restricted 1,404Total items repaired 0It then suggests I buy the repair software for €29,95.It's at this point, because I basically don't understand what's being offered, that I tend to back off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Routine sales gimmick.That said I have used Registry Mechanic for many years and it does its job brilliantly. £15.00 is not a bad price either.If you google registry you will find totally free software if you want to go down that route.Your registry is what runs your PC (well the software anyway) and it really is vital IMHO to keep it clean. Downloads, viewing files, deleting and changing stuff all affects it, slowing things down or worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I would have a long hard look at connections to the speakers etc. Put a CD in and play it, swop out speakers for a pair of mini headphones you know work before I assumed in was software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 I was going to suggest something similar, Anton, but would that account for the phone not working? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 6, 2008 Author Share Posted January 6, 2008 Thanks again Bugbear. Whilst I think I now understand registry software I'm reluctant to start spending bits of money unless I can be pretty sure that it will solve my problem.I looked at the "free" offerings but they all resulted in not correcting any faults with the free version but offering to sell the full version. If you know one that would actually work without buying so that I can see if it will solve the problem then a link would be appreciated.Anton and Cooperlola,Thanks for the input.I don't have seperate speakers (I'm not into music or gaming) but I use the built in ones within the screen. I have just confirmed that the cable between the screen and processor box looks OK and it's fully home at both ends. Unfortunately my neighbours are away at the moment or else I would see about borrowing a set of speakers from their teenagers (if they have them). Later this week I will be seeing another pal so I'll borrow some then.I get the same (very low) volume when playing a CD.Just in case I've given the wrong impression about VoiP calls I use an old microphone as the outgoing device and rely on the screen based speakers for incoming so their are no headsets or VoiP 'phone to cloud this issue. Incidentially for calls I make the receiver is getting my voice clearly it's just the incoming that is very faint.As a final resort I do have the computer shop where I originally bought the system but the last time I went there one of the young techies fixed my small problem without charging for his work because his boss wasn't there so I'm reluctant to keep popping back there as it's also a fair distance to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 In that case, Benjamin, at the risk of sounding as though I'm teaching my grandmother, I take it you've checked the sound settings on the screen itself? I remember years ago with our first pc, spending hours (not just us but the shop which supplied the thing too) on a similar problem, only for me to eventually figure out that that was the problem - something which all the "experts" had missed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 RegSeeker cleans the registry and allows you to restore the deleted bits if you have made a mistake. I have had it on my last 3 computers and use it regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 6, 2008 Author Share Posted January 6, 2008 [quote user="cooperlola"]In that case, Benjamin, at the risk of sounding as though I'm teaching my grandmother, I take it you've checked the sound settings on the screen itself? I remember years ago with our first pc, spending hours (not just us but the shop which supplied the thing too) on a similar problem, only for me to eventually figure out that that was the problem - something which all the "experts" had missed![/quote]AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHYes I had checked the sound level on the screen and it was showing 50% but I've just pushed it up tp 100% and hey presto!Thanks to everyone for your input.Clair,Thanks for that I've bookmarked that and I will use it later as I have a few calls to catch up on first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baz Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 I and many others use CCleaner which is free and has a Registry Integrity cleaner. The great thing about this cleaner is that every time you start up your computer it will automatically clean your system and you can choose what to or not to include. http://www.ccleaner.com/downloadBaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 Hearing you loud and clear! It's always the simple ones which catch you out...My secretary once had a totally blue screen on her computer - bear in mind that this was in the old days before we had pics and things, so it was really just a glorified word processor way back then. For a couple of days, all the computer technicians in the building were in and out of the office trying to figure out what was wrong..... She had made the font colour the same as the background.....[:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted January 6, 2008 Share Posted January 6, 2008 [quote user="Benjamin"]AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHYes I had checked the sound level on the screen and it was showing 50% but I've just pushed it up tp 100% and hey presto![/quote]Don't worry about it, most of us have been there at one time or another.................[:D]Get your registry clean though, its pretty essential. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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