Computer Query

[sdelmonte]

I Figured I would post this while I am not actually at home so that them's that know from computers can think about this and then I can act tomorrow night...

The last couple of times I have totally rebooted my computer at home - desktop PC clone, Windows XP Professional, Creative Sound Blaster speakers - I have lost the sound. One time I tinkered extensively with a whole mess of settings and managed to get the sound back, but for the life of me I don't know what the heck I did to fix it. And when the computer decided to reboot after an Automatic Update, the sound went away again.

I know it's not the driver. Since I got it working, it's not the speakers themselves. I suspect it's some piece of software related to the codecs, but I really don't know that much about this. Anyone have any suggestions, aside from shutting off the Automatic Update function (though it rarely ever reboots)? What would cause a computer to suddenly not like its sound system, and how do I fix it?

Many thanks in advance to any who can offer input.

Comments

[bigfluffball.livejournal.com]

I'll ask my technogeek when we're both online.

[h0m54r.livejournal.com]

How do you know it's definitely not the driver? Are there updated drivers available on the manufacturer's website? When the sound failes, does Device Manager have any devices that are marked with an exclamation mark? Have you installed any third-party codec packs such as K-Lite or CCCP?

[poltr1]

I second what h0m54r said. If the sound device is failing sporatically, check the Device Manager to see if it didn't load. Then check the Event Viewer (Control Panel|Admin Tools|Event Viewer) to see why it didn't load.

I hate Automatic Update. I turned mine off and do all my updates manually.