[seebee]

About a year ago I upgraded from Windows 98 to XP. I have very simple 2-piece speakers that pretty much just play into each other, the back of the CPU and the wall outlet - no software to install. They worked with 98 (I could play my music cd's, greeting card music, etc). I never plugged them back in until a few days ago to play a MP3 audio file (just have not listened to any cd's since then).When I opened the MP3 file, a Windows Media Player 9 Series error message box appears indicating I do not have a sound devise installed on my computer. I checked the Control Panel Sounds & Audio Devices Properties box (Audio tab) and sure enough under Sound Playback it is grayed out and reads No playback devise. The power to the speakers in on and I've tried all 4 input holes on the back of the CPU. Oh, and I can hear a buz from the speakers when I take out the connection and reinsert it.What could be the problem? Would it make a difference if I used RealPlayer? How come I could listen to things before?Thanks in advance for any help you can give,seebee

[AuroraDizon]

Your probably missing your drivers. Right click my computer.. hardware tab.. click on device manager... check what it has listed under your sound video and game controllers tree. If there are any yellow question marks address them as well. It will probably tell you what type of sound device is listed.. then if you do find a yellow question mark relating to your sound devices google it and try to locate the drivers and install them.(sorry im a bit tired right now)

[seebee]

When I opened the 'tree', there are 6 items listed:Audio CodecsAudio CodecsLegacy Audio DriversLegacy Video Capture DevicesMedia Control DevicesVideo CodecsUnder the Legacy Audio Driver Properties, Detail tab, the Device Instance ID reads -ROOTMEDIAMS_MMDRVButthe front of my speakers say Labtec.More thoughts?

[AuroraDizon]

It doesn't matter what kind of speakers you have as long as they function. I don't think its your speakers - since your computer said that there was no sound device installed (refering to the sound card itself and not speakers you plug into your computer)... have you tried other programs to verify it? Also when you looked under device manager there were no yellow question marks at all.. even under other sections?

[seebee]

There are no yellow question marks at all, under any section.I tried playing a music cd, and same error message came up.Why would everything have worked with Windows 98 though - wouldn't I have had to have a sound card then too?If I open up the back of the CPU can I find out who manufactured the sound card, I guess that will also tell me if there even is one.

[AuroraDizon]

There are built in sound card, or a 3rd party sound card <(says my husband he suggests you find out which it is.. I personally think you just need the right drivers.) The reason why it works in Windows 98 is because when you upgraded your os your drivers didn't come with you (many are preinstalled with windows xp but not all) You might wanna try looking up a list of components or drivers for the specific type of computer that you have. I'm not sure, but it looks like you have general sound drivers install maybe try right clicking and updating the drivers from the internet (although that usually doesn't work for me.) Did you try a device other then windows media player (I don't think its going to work though since it says there are no playback devices.) http://www.majorgeek...wnload4181.html Try downloading that it should tell you your hardware specs... then try to find audio drivers.(sorry again I am tired)