How to disable Audio devices in Win XP?

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2003-08-24 12:08am

Mpegs and RM files cannot play on my computer because it says it can't open the audio device. How do I disable the audio devices?

Datana · Post by **Datana** » 2003-08-24 12:57am

This sounds more like a misinstalled sound card driver than a hardware issue, but if you want to disable the audio devices for troubleshooting purposes, here's what to do (in Windows 2000/XP).

Start->Control Panel->System->Hardware (Tab)->Device Manager.

Look under "Sound, video, and game controllers." If there are any problematic entries (a red crossed circle over them), you can try disabling them by double-clicking the entry (opens a new window) and setting "Device usage" to "Do not use this device." Of course, you'll lose use of the device until you re-enable it.

You may want to try uninstalling and reinstalling the sound drivers first, though, and see if that resolves your problem. I've found my Sound Blaster Live is extremely picky about system conditions, so this might be similar.

(EDIT: Should this be moved to G&C?)

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2003-08-24 01:21am

Unfortunately that was the first thing I tried. The audio devices cannot be deleted.

Sektor31 · Post by **Sektor31** » 2003-08-24 01:27am

Sounds like a codec problem to me, but if that was the case I wonder why mpegs don't want to play either. Does mpegs only refer to video but not audio (eg mp3/etc.)?

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2003-08-24 01:50am

Try removing all of your audio hardware from the Device Manager and reinstall the drivers. Or simply reboot.

Dorsk 81 · Post by **Dorsk 81** » 2003-08-25 12:08am

Again, I am aware Iam not a mod, but shouldon't this be in the Gaming and Computers section?

Post by **Dalton** » 2003-08-25 12:14am

Dorsk 81 wrote:Again, I am aware Iam not a mod, but shouldon't this be in the Gaming and Computers section?

That does get annoying. PM someone next time.