Computer =Sony PCV 7764 (Vaio).Motherboard=ASUS A7N266-VX O/S=XP-Pro SP2.Integrated Sound card.
Problem=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.Listed under "other devices".All listed items have yellow ? beside each.They are
1.16550
2.Multi media audio controller
3.SM Bus controller
Using Everest under "MIDI music playback" ="no MIDI playback devices"
Obviously i do not get any sound on the speakers from anything which includes 2 optical devices.Multiple programs for sound recording/playback and a 56k modem.
Although i have owned this computer for over a year it has not been one which i have used much. I am now starting to software configure it to become a much more used device and thus have just discovered this problem.When i use either the device manager or the windows driver wizard to update or reinstall drivers it says "no software could be found--hardware not installed."
Questions? Suggestions please. truenorthGo to this page:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DRIVER&PRODTYPE=1

Select your country and let Sony detect your model. You may have to install an ActiveX control in order for Sony to scan your system.

You should then be able to locate, download and install the correct driver for your audio device.

Please keep us posted.The Saviour,!st thanks for the reply and the link.2nd-thought i had supplied the correct model # (from back of tower) however when using the link "no model found".Decided to check the front revised model (why there should be 2 different is confusing) anyhow model on front=PCV RXA 842.
Using the link an extensive list comes up http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=PCVRXA842&UpdateType=Updates I would appreciate if you could define which one(s) may be relevant as many SEEM applicable or obscure enough to leave doubt in my mind. truenorthHere is a link to the page where you can find the drivers that originally shipped with your system. Hopefully, you haven't made any changes.

http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=PCVRXA842&UpdateType=Original

The first item on that page is for your audio driver.

Keep us posted...The following error message appeared during the attempt to access the program from the link (item 1)="title error message box="Sony Application Recovery program"= "This program is not designed to run on this computer". Forced it to a restart for the computer to "verify" computer status to use this program. At restart (before desktop icons loaded) Error message occured= "windows cannot find NV-E20020801J4 ------etc,etc,etc." It is stored in "temporary files"
I should like it to be known the original O/S software on this computer was XP-Home sp2. Due to H/D + other unknown problems to resolve all that i installed a new H/D and installed Xp-Pro sp2 from an original Microsoft O/S disk. I also have win98se installed as a dual O/S on a separate physical H/D. Must indicate an operating system chopice at start up. I do have a reference to a nVidia gforce2gpu installed (but assumed that was associated with the video function )(ie. the monitor) truenorthSo in what operating system are you having probelms with the sound device?

Since you have a dual boot...thanks for letting us know (better late than never as he pulls tooth), you'll have to find an audio driver for the card based on the current OS that's having the issue.

The last link I provided you was for the drivers tha came installed on the original system.The saviour,
Again thanks for the assistance. I am trying to walk the fine line between providing the essentials to solve the problem and avoiding non related "stuff". However now that the subject "pulling tooth" has been raised let me advise you of the following. When i 1st obtained this vaio there were so many problems (generated the most ever views and many pages of dialogue between members) that i really was trying to avoid unnecessary complications. I installed the win98se to enable myself to gain access to a non functioning computer (this after everyone had given up )(including i believe some of the best minds on the CH forums). Since i recovered the computer and did the H/D and O/S installs (win xp-pro) i have never again used win98se. However since you got me thinking i did reboot just now into win98se and tried a cd (music) in that O/S.The default player is "cd-player". It gave all the appearance of playing a track however no sound.also when i used the option in Cd-player to adjust volume no volume tool appeared. If you want to punish yourself and get ALL the info re the earlier problems on this vaio do a search on CH computer software (might be computer hardware--it was over 8 months ago) and type in Sony Vaio and share my fond memories of those earlier problem issues. I do appreciate (and you did caution) "i hope it is the original installation".So i was aware that something other than success could unfold. I would appreciate any additional help you can offer and/or any other question you may wish to pose. truenorthI'm more than willing to help, truenorth...and if I sounded a bit harsh by the "tooth pulling" remark, I apologize.

Let's see...we have two operating systems, correct? XP Pro SP2 and 98SE on a dual-boot configuration with each OS on its own hard drive...am I with ya so far? I certainly hope so...last thing I want is to be on a different page.

Are we running the latest Windows Media player on each OS? Have both of these systems been updated with the latest high-priority updates from Windows Update?

If the above is all true, let's try this...go into the Device Manager of each OS to see where the problem lies with drivers...okay? If you can, please post a pic of the Device Manager showing an image of the problem device(s). We'll take it one system at a time...starting with whichever one you choose.

I await your response...I haven't seen or looked for the thread from 8 Months ago but this sure sounds like a case for a partion sort out and a clean install to me.Into the breach.
Fed; Just to deal with your "clean install' when i finally did get the computer back by using 98se(on it's own physical H/D as master--it was the only H/d in the computer at that stage as the offending one with Xp-home had been removed--which is the way that deleted H/D to this day remains).I then added a brand new H/D out of the box (as a slave) and did a fresh brand new install of Xp-Pro sp2 to the slave. Then after that was successful i renamed the H/D's --reversing their order.For all intents and purposes up until today i have not used that computer at all.Thus with all due respect i see no practical purpose in doing a "fresh install' as everything else seems to be functioning well.
The Saviour: 1st no offence --i know where you were coming from far too often the absence of info can be a big deterent to solution so i try to give all that i think is relevant--avoiding that which is not--and i do relize that is a personal subjective opinion which may later prove to be less than was required.As i said it is a fine line.
Now on to the rest of your last post.Your portrayal of your 2nd paragraph is correct."Media Player? I don't know--but i doubt it. My preffered player is Music Match. I suppose that as Media player is part of the both O/S's that it is on both--but i have not upgraded it on either.The win98se is of course no longer supported with upgrades from Bill. I have my automatic upgrades set to DEALERS choice and i tend to be selective about which ones i do (as i am on a 56k modem i don't want to give my computers entirely over to Bill when i go online. I tend to emphasise security issues over chacing after newest and "best " software updates--based on the principle "if it ain't broke don't fix it".
Now comes a GREAT insight as to my computer savvy level--as often as i have seen CH members post a pic of an item like you desire --i don't know how to do that--wish i did.Thanks again. truenorth
p.S if you reply today again i SHALL be offline until tomorrow evening but will look for you then.Problem solved.No reinstall.No hardware replacement. Enjoying beautiful sound on integrated sound card on all devices.truenorth You might want to let everyone, who helped you, know how you resolved the issue...

No reinstall...no hardware replacement...

What, the sound card FAIRY came down and waived their magical wand or something?

Like I said...just like pulling teeth...this time I meant it.The Saviour,Hopefully by now you have had the opportunity to read my post re Kaspro's modem problem so i won't repeat the comments to you again here (though they do seem to be reinforced).
The everyone you reffered to seems to be yourself and Fed (and i believe Fed would be interested to know that a reinstall was not required as he/she had suggested).Plus given that i had stated i could not provide your suggested request for "a pic" due to a lack of knowledge and no subsequent reply from you i continued to forge on on my own.If you care to i would encourage you to read any of my past posts where a solution (mine or provided by others) either altered or achieved success to the problem i have given a full explanation of it.No there was no intervention from "a sound card fairy" but there definetly was a "something". Do you seriously believe that your snarky statements are condusive to a cooperative congenial forum?No disrepect intended. However it is not a good practice to bring out again a comment that you have already appologized for.Just a suggestion but perhaps you might want to try another approach. ;)truenorth"Just when you think you're out...they keep dragging you back in..."

truenorth...

I had no intent of researching a post from 8 months ago...and still don't.

This will be my last post regarding this issue...

If you or anyone think my reply would be considered "flaming" then do with it as you will...I could really care less.

I have helped more than my share of users within the CH Forum Community resolve issues they were having...beit hardware, software, web design...whatever. Within these posts are the tools...other users, such as yourself, need when they experience problems such as the one you described here.

Now...although Fed and myself were the only ones who assisted you...do you think you're helping anyone else by simply stating:

Quote from: truenorth on September 18, 2007, 08:19:03 AM

Problem solved.No reinstall.No hardware replacement. Enjoying beautiful sound on integrated sound card on all devices.truenorth

Do you seriously believe that your snarky statements are condusive to a cooperative congenial forum?