link How to troubleshoot sound problems in Windows XP

This article describes how to troubleshoot common sound problems in Windows XP. This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user. You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

You may experience any of the following symptoms on your Windows XP-based computer:
You do not hear sound from the computer's speakers or headphones.
A sound seems to be played, but you do not hear anything.
A sound is played, but it stops suddenly.
The sound skips or misses in some areas.
The sound is distorted or scratchy.
The computer stops responding when a sound is played.
The computer restarts when a sound is played.
You receive an error message when you try to play sound. Error messages could include the following:
MIDI output error detected.
No wave device that can play files in the current format is installed.
The CD Audio device is in use by another application.
WAV sound playback error detected.
Your audio hardware cannot play files like the current file.

Steps to Fix Sound Problems

* If you have an onboard audio card, you need to make sure the onboard audio device is enabled in the Bios. Instruction will vary per motherboard, so you need to follow the instructions in your PC or motherboard manual for this. If you are using a separate sound card, the onboard should be disabled of course!
* In Windows XP, open the Device Manager (open the Control Panel -> double-click the System icon -> in System Properties dialog box, select Hardware tab -> click Device Manager button).
* In the Device Manager, open the “Sound, video and game controllers” group. Here you should see your audio device as shown in the image.
# If the sound device is not listed, check if any devices are listed in the “Other devices” or “Unknown devices” group, most likely with a yellow exclamation mark.
# If the device is not listed or if devices are listed under the “Unknown devices” group, the most likely cause is a missing or incorrect device driver. If you have the sound driver for the sound device, (re)install the sound drivers. If you do not have the drivers the easiest method is to use a driver update tool.
# If updating the drivers does not work, you need to find the cause of the problematic device.
# If the sound device is listed in the Device Manager, and you still do not have sound, first open the Control Panel.
# In the Control Panel, double-click “Sounds and Audio Devices”.
# In the first screen, with the Volume tab active, make sure the Mute checkbox is not selected and that the volume slider is close to High