Missing system event sounds

[drpixel]

I have used Win2K for years without any significant problem. Recently, I have lost the sound effects associated with system events such as: error, asterisk, question, etc. Upon checking, I find that my sound system, in general, works just fine. I can play WAV or MIDI files without a problem. AVI and MOV files with sound play normally as do movie DVDs. The system sounds are normally set up with a panel that pops up when "Sounds and Multimedia" is selected from the control panel. The sounds I assign to particular events can be previewed in this panel. When I do this, they play normally but they do not play at all when the actual system event occurs! I have tried everything I can think of (reload sound drivers, check for registry errors, etc.) but the solution to this problem eludes me. I've also tried about a dozen other "cures" posted on the Internet but nothing has worked. I'll really appreciate any help. Thanks!

drpixel

[Spider]

Hi drpixel welcome to Cyber Tech Help.


1
Everything is ok in Device Manager?
Start
Run...
type devmgmt.msc



2
Reinstall the modem driver if you have a modem.

[drpixel]

Thanks Spider. I have checked my device list several times for problems but all is well. Also, I do not have a modem - have not had one for about 3 years. The problem must have a very strange cause.

[Spider]

Have you used regedit before?

I would like to know if you have HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemas\Apps is there.

You can copy the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Schemas branch over from another account/computer
and Import that into the Registry.

[drpixel]

Hi Spider,

Thanks for your continuing interest in my problem. Yes, I checked again and under HKEY_
CURRENT_USER/AppEvents I have both +EventLabels and +Schemes. The keys under EventLabels have all the event definitions and those under Schemes have the appropriate WAV file that I selected for each event. Everything seems normal but following your suggestion, I shall compare the hive with a computer known to have the event sounds working properly. There is always the chance that I've overlooked some small detail. I'll also try importing the keys just to make sure. I'll report back after the experiment.

[drpixel]

Hello Again Spider,

No luck with registry import from a working system. I'm afraid the solution of this problem may be very difficult.

[Spider]

Try running this registry script (http://space.hostrocket.com/script/fix.audio.reg). It will re-associate the default codecs for Windows XP sounds.

[drpixel]

Hi Spider,
That was a good idea and one that I had not tried. I think I remember checking that key but can't be sure. Anyway, I imported the script into the registry but unfortunately the error condition remains. Everything looks right but still no system sound events yet they preview accurately in the Sound & Multimedia control panel. As before, many thanks for hanging in with me on this!

[Spider]

Ok here come the standard Windows repair stuff.

1)
Start
Run...
type sfc /scannow hit enter. It may ask you for the Windows CD.

2)
Install this Microsoft Netshow Player (v2.0) (http://www.softlookup.com/display.asp?id=6231) then try.

[drpixel]

I ran the System File Check; It stopped about a hundred times to ask for the W2K install disk but got through without any other error messages. I re-booted but still no system sounds. I tried to locate the Netshow software at your link (and others) but could not find it. Most everything was for Windows Media Player with a big emphasis on Vista.

Thanks again Spider

[Spider]

I ran the System File Check; It stopped about a hundred times to ask for the W2K install disk
Did you insert the CD?
I tried to locate the Netshow software at your link
I am so sorry, I never checked the download link, it's a bad site with redirects.
Try this link for Netshow Player (http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,3954-order,1-page,1/description.html).

[drpixel]

Yes, of course, the original Win2K installation disk was available for the SFC scan.

No problem about the download site; I've been known to make a "few" little errors myself. Went to the new site and got Netshow V2 and installed it. I re-booted and checked for system sounds but they are still missing. The Netshow player did, however, played just fine as a separate device. Thanks so much for the help and advice Spider. You can see why this is so frustrating to me.

[Spider]

got Netshow V2 and installed it. I re-booted and checked for system sounds but they are still missing
Uninstall it from Add/Remove Programs then.

Unzip these two files (http://space.hostrocket.com/script/dll.reregister.2k.zip) and two-click run.windows.2k.update.fix.vbs.

There is a Windows 2000 download button on this page (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/format/codecdownload.aspx) for Windows Codecs.

[drpixel]

Extracted both files. Tried run.windows.2k.update.fix.vbs. Got this error message:

Script : C:\Download\run.windows.2k.update.fix.vbs
Line: 3
Char: 1
Error: ActiveX component can't create object: 'Scripting.FileSystemObject'
Code: 800A01AD
Source: Microsoft VBScript runtime error

The windows Codecs EXE file ran fine but it did not bring back system sounds by itself.

[Spider]

Then two-click run.windows.2k.update.fix.bat and keep clicking the Yes and OK buttons as they show up [till it's over].
Reboot

[drpixel]

The batch file ran without a problem but after re-booting, system sounds still missing. I'm about ready to throw in the towel.

[Spider]

Well what you can do is what's called an over-top install.

Boot to the win2k CD and skip the partitioning and formatting part and do an install
of win2k on the existing C: partition. You'll get your Windows back with audio but
you'll have to update it and you'll most likely have to reinstall most of your third
party programs. This way you won't loose any files you already have on the drive.

This audio prob may have been caused by anti-spyware programs. If you run everything
ever made to look for spyware then many of these programs will delete important Windows files.

[drpixel]

Thanks Spider. I had thought of a re-install but decided that getting all my apps back in place was more than I wanted to do; I've got about 80 separate packages on my machine. Then I'd have to install SP4 + roll-up and a ton of upgrades from MS. When I think of all that, I figure I can live without the system sounds. But you really gave me some good ideas and I really appreciate that. Thanks again!

[Spider]

Your very welcome.

Just have a look with Windows Explorer if the sound files are actually there.

C:\WINNT\Media