Ok
I was installing (and removing) different ‘codec’s’, ‘avi’ and divx/xvid converting software and now my windows sounds are gone. Option is grayed out. Under Midi Music Playback (and voice playback) I have empty field – I can select different Midi devices, but whatever I select , will not stay there. Those settings will not hold. Other than that, there are sounds in general, games, cd, dvd, mp3 – thay all play well.
Can anybody tell me what happened to my Windows Xp sound settings?

derek

Maybe some broken reg.keys, corrupted .dll files.
Could try reinstalling your sound device driver and DirectX.

Yes, I did try that.
Reinstalled SB live latest drivers, DX 9.0c and.... same story.

I think you should try to remove all codecs on yuor PC and install only necessary ones, like: K-Lite, DivX, Codec Pack All-In-1. I have the same problem and I'm gonna try the same thing. Oh, and btw, although winamp works while this problem occurs, flash movies are slow and silent.

Didn't seem to work. Back to the drawing board, I guess. I'll try to ask on other forums, maybe they've got some ideas...

How about replacing corrupted files (if there are any) on my computer w/ files from a healthy computer. Could work. But which files?

I am encountering the same problem as Derek123. As a matter of fact, I was doing the exact same things right before I lost system sounds.

Has this issue been resolved yet?

I just joined because I have the same problem. . . Have tried all that is mentioned and still have no sound and am unable to make adjustments because of locked out of sound Properties. I ahve spent several hours trying to reload drivers and such and still am uinable to solve the problem. Is there anyone here that has new idea???

Hi guys, on my side this occurred to be a registry problem.

This site was useful for me.

I merged the audiosvr.reg file and rebooted - I had my default windows sounds running then.

I hope this helps.

Erjitka