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No sound on computer. Device status show error: no audio device.

Original title: no active sound device.

I have a Toshiba laptop model Tecra A7-S712 running Windows XP SP3. At some point I have lost sound. I have a Realtek ALC861 sound card and I have reloaded the drivers mulitple times. I have tried several other things without any luck.

 

Under "Sound and Audio Devices" it indicated "no audio device". And when I try to run any audio player I get the error "There are no active mixer devices available. To install mixer devices, go to Control Panel, click Printers adn Other Hardware, and then click Add Hardware".

 

Thanks again for any help.

Hi,

 

 

Have you made any changes to the computer prior to the issue?
 
Method 1:
 
 
Run the Fixit provided in the article:
 
 
Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/mats/hardware_device_problems/en-us
 
 
Method 2:

I would suggest you to check the service ‘Windows Audio’ whether it is set to automatic. Follow the steps mentioned below.
a. Click on start and then click on Run.

b. Type services.msc in the run box and press enter to open the services window.

c. Locate Windows Audio and then right click on it.

d. Click on Properties and make the startup type to automatic.

e. Check whether the issue is resolved.
 
 
Method 3:

Try to download the audio drivers from the manufacturer’s site and check if it helps you.
 
Refer:
How to update a sound card driver in Windows Vista and in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/166774
 
 
Also refer:
 
 
 
Hope this helps.

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I think the issue came up while trying to get Norton off my computer.

 

Method 1; I have downloaded Fix-it and run the software. It says I don’t have an audio playback problem.

 

Method 2; “Windows Audio” in running and on automatic startup

 

Method 3; I have downloaded drivers to no avail. I don’t think it is the drivers because I can open “Realtek HD Sound Effects Manager” from the Control Panel and run a sound demo and it works great. But that is just the vendor’s software. I don’t seem to have a connection between the audio card (laptop so I guess it is on the mother board) and the Window’s mixer.

 

FYI the sound is Realtek ALC861

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

Dean

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Hi,
 
I would suggest you to perform System restore to the point where the audio worked fine on the computer.
How to restore Windows XP to a previous state
 
Hope this helps.

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OK I tried to restore back as far as the system would go (don’t remember exactly when the problem first started). Interestingly the earliest restore date was Friday, April 13. Coincidence?

 

Anyway the sound still didn’t work. Brought it back to today.

 

I am going to print this again because I think it might be an important clue. I can open “Realtek HD Sound Effects Manager” from the Control Panel and run a sound demo and the sound works great. From the demo.

 

 

 

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Hi,

 

1. Are you trying to play sound on external speakers or internal speakers?

2. If external, what is the make/model of the speaker?

 

You may also refer realteks' site:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/faqs/faqsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=7&Level=3

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Internal or external, no sound excepts beeps from the mother board. When I open Windows Media Player I get this error "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem with your sound device. There might not be a sound device installed on your computer, it might be in use by another program, or it might not be functioning properly."

 

Thanks for trying.

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Hi,

Is the issue specific to Windows Media Player?

 

I would suggest you to try the steps in the following methods and check the status of the issue.      

Method 1:

Set the computer to clean boot state to check for software conflicts.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

NOTE: After using the clean boot to resolve your problem, you may follow the ‘Steps to configure Windows to use a Normal startup state’ to configure Windows XP to start normally.

 

Method 2:

I see that you have tried reloading the driver’s couple of times. I would suggest you to uninstall ‘Sound’ card drivers along with ‘Realtek HD Sound Effects Manager’. To do so refer the following steps:

a)    Press ‘Ctrl+R’ on the keyboard to bring the run dialog box and enter ‘devmgmt.msc’ and click ‘OK’.

b)    In ‘Device Manager’, double click on ‘Sound, video and game controllers’ and right click on the audio device and click ‘Uninstall’.

c)    Restart the computer.

d)    Also, remove ‘Realtek HD Sound Effects Manager’ software from ‘Add or Remove Programs’. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307895

e)    Download the latest available drivers for your sound card from the manufacturer’s website and install them. Refer the following link: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/

 

If the issue persists then, you may contact Realtek support for assistance.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/Default.aspx

 

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Last updated December 7, 2023 Views 2,142 Applies to: