No Sound: Realtek Asus Motherboard Win7 64bit

[NewToit]

Edit 1/22/2010 9pm. Post #9 is snap shots of all I have tinkered with or looked at. You might be able to read this and skip to post #9

Now back to the original message:
I have no sound. My cpu is 3 months old. I have had extremely limited issues with the cpu since date of purchase. I was watching a movie on Windows media player, I never watched it before. Windows Media Center crashed. I rebooted and tried again. WMC refused to play any videos or movies now. My sound stopped working at this point. Below is relevant information, too much possibly. It is almost as if the sound produced by 'software' has been muted, blocked or turned off. This cpu is the only media device in the home. Windows media center crashed on 1/17 about 9pm and we have been without sound since. Please feel my pain!

The first 3 categories might be the most relevant. I am a computer noob. Although I am a competent human.

**What I have done:
Update drivers using the link for my ASUS motherboard. I uninstalled drivers first
Turned off and on Audio services - they are running
Tried EVERY STINKING PORT, why are there so many damn ports?!?!?!?
Verified speakers are turned on
Checked in obvious locations for errors / Checked devices
Verified ALL wires are SNUG
Restored to previous restore point
Verified speakers are functional using MP3 player
Cleaned cpu & speakers
Did my best to verify wires and stuff inside were working
SPOKE with ASUS who said it was not the MoBo - said might be software?
CRIED! SCREAMED KICKED
Tried Realtek drivers
Prayed
Fiddled with the realtek HD audio manager settings - I do not understand many of them: Changed play back quality, filled sound, turned effects off.

**What is odd:
If I plug in a mic I can sing a tune through the speakers.
Windows Media Player will not run ANY DVDS or MP3s. However, it will play 2 streaming videos I captured from youtube.
If I use another player such as VLC or DIVx the movie plays perfect with NO SOUND!
**When I attempt to play a test tone I receive the error, "Failed to play Test tone" with the yellow exclamation point
When I mute the speakers(on off) by pressing mute quickly I can hear that tiny click/muffle you would expect to hear when you mute speakers.
The above must somehow be relevant, no? My computer is working 100%. WELL CEPT FOR DARN SOUND

Realtek HD Manager:
Tower Speakers Checked Volume cranked
Tried 5.1 - all settings
SOUND:
Speakers Realtek Hi Def Audio -Green Check
Realtek 2nd Audio(Headphones) - Not Plugged in
Nvidia HDMI - Not Plugged In
Realtek Digitial OutPut(Realtek Digital Audio) - Ready

MotherBoard:
Asus: M3n72-d
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
System Information:
OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7600 Build 7600
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name DADDY-PC
System Manufacturer System manufacturer
System Model System Product Name
System Type x64-based PC
Processor AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 955 Processor, 3200 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS M3N72-D ACPI BIOS Revision 1102, 6/30/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7600.16385"
User Name Daddy-PC\Administrator
Time Zone US Eastern Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 4.00 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.48 GB
Total Virtual Memory 8.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 6.23 GB
Component Services:
Windows Audio Started Automatic Local Service
Windows Audio Endpoint Builder Started Automatic Local System

Information I do not Understand but might be relevant
[Audio Codecs]

CODEC Manufacturer Description Status File Version Size Creation Date
c:\windows\system32\msg711.acm Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\MSG711.ACM 6.1.7600.16385 14.50 KB (14,848 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:18 PM
c:\windows\system32\imaadp32.acm Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\IMAADP32.ACM 6.1.7600.16385 21.50 KB (22,016 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:18 PM
c:\windows\system32\msgsm32.acm Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\MSGSM32.ACM 6.1.7600.16385 28.50 KB (29,184 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:18 PM
c:\windows\system32\msadp32.acm Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\MSADP32.ACM 6.1.7600.16385 23.50 KB (24,064 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:18 PM
c:\windows\system32\l3codeca.acm Fraunhofer Institut Integrierte Schaltungen IIS Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec OK C:\Windows\system32\L3CODECA.ACM 1.9.0.401 79.50 KB (81,408 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:22 PM

[Video Codecs]

CODEC Manufacturer Description Status File Version Size Creation Date
c:\windows\system32\msvidc32.dll Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\MSVIDC32.DLL 6.1.7600.16385 37.50 KB (38,400 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:18 PM
c:\windows\system32\msrle32.dll Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\MSRLE32.DLL 6.1.7600.16385 15.50 KB (15,872 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:18 PM
c:\windows\system32\msyuv.dll Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\MSYUV.DLL 6.1.7600.16385 24.00 KB (24,576 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:06 PM
c:\windows\system32\iyuv_32.dll Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\IYUV_32.DLL 6.1.7600.16385 52.50 KB (53,760 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:06 PM
c:\windows\system32\tsbyuv.dll Microsoft Corporation OK C:\Windows\system32\TSBYUV.DLL 6.1.7600.16385 14.00 KB (14,336 bytes) 7/13/2009 7:06 PM
c:\windows\system32\frapsv64.dll Beepa P/L Fraps Video Decompressor OK C:\Windows\system32\FRAPSV64.DLL 2.9.9.8086 83.00 KB
Approx time of CRASH:
Log Name: Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance/Operational
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance
Date: 1/17/2010 9:00:21 PM
Event ID: 101
Task Category: Boot Performance Monitoring
Level: Warning
Keywords: Event Log
User: LOCAL SERVICE
Computer: Daddy-PC
Description:
This application took longer than usual to start up, resulting in a performance degradation in the system startup process:
File Name : ehshell.exe
Friendly Name : Windows Media Center
Version : 6.1.7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Total Time : 12002ms
Degradation Time : 7002ms
Incident Time (UTC) : ‎2010‎-‎01‎-‎18T01:57:57.656000000Z
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance" Guid="{CFC18EC0-96B1-4EBA-961B-622CAEE05B0A}" />
<EventID>101</EventID>
<Version>1</Version>
<Level>3</Level>
<Task>4002</Task>
<Opcode>33</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8000000000010000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-01-18T02:00:21.868800000Z" />
<EventRecordID>1183</EventRecordID>
<Correlation ActivityID="{00000100-0000-0002-8859-10A8E197CA01}" />
<Execution ProcessID="1420" ThreadID="1312" />
<Channel>Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance/Operational</Channel>
<Computer>Daddy-PC</Computer>
<Security UserID="S-1-5-19" />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="StartTime">2010-01-18T01:57:57.656000000Z</Data>
<Data Name="NameLength">12</Data>
<Data Name="Name">ehshell.exe</Data>
<Data Name="FriendlyNameLength">21</Data>
<Data Name="FriendlyName">Windows Media Center</Data>
<Data Name="VersionLength">38</Data>
<Data Name="Version">6.1.7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255)</Data>
<Data Name="TotalTime">12002</Data>
<Data Name="DegradationTime">7002</Data>
<Data Name="PathLength">29</Data>
<Data Name="Path">C:\Windows\ehome\ehshell.exe</Data>
<Data Name="ProductNameLength">37</Data>
<Data Name="ProductName">Microsoft® Windows® Operating System</Data>
<Data Name="CompanyNameLength">22</Data>
<Data Name="CompanyName">Microsoft Corporation</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

 

[NewToit]

Edit:
I was just told to try a repair install. Looking at the repair install info here I was told by the poster NOT to do this if a recovery did not work.


As I said I am so confident that something somewhere was deleted, removed, blocked, broke or corrupted with my internal software. This is not a hardware issue.

What are the important audio files that I should make sure still exist on my computer? In order for computers to play any audio files what .dll, .exe, .com files must exist in windows or on my computer? I want to verify they are there.

While I have been trouble shooting my issue I found this post:

My Avast! program recognized Audiodg.exe as a malicious file and removed it. Since then, I have not been able to get sound on my system.
I have looked for a place to download and restore the Audiodg.exe file, but am unable to find it anywhere.
In my sound playback devices, when I try to 'test' my sound, I get an error "failed to play test tone". My audio drivers are all up to date."

This problem seems similar to mine as I had that Avast program and also recently found spyware. Is this something I should investigate - my computer deleting important audio files, these files becoming corrupt or accidental deletion of such files by me? If so which ones should I look for?

Even if I checked your solution I will check it again if you think I should. Even if you think it is not worth a mention - mention it!

I have cookies and sugar! All you need to do is stop by! I am in Indianapolis

 

[chev65]

To get the delated file back just to go start/search type cmd, right click the small dos icon and run as admin. At the blinking cursor type sfc/scannow then hit enter, give it some time to complete the scan. That should get that file back for you if it's a system file. You may need to install the driver again to fix the problem.

 

[NewToit]

I do not know if the file was deleted or not. It was just a thought. I did that SFC thing it fixed some stuff and wrote it to a fairly huge CBS file.

I also did a check disk with 2 "/" commands someone told me to do. Still no sound. I am installing drivers now.

Is this an odd problem?

 

[NewToit]

No, problem not solved. Same error.

Recap - No Audio:
Everything checks out fine. I can talk through the mic and be heard through the speakers.

No program gives me ANY sound.

I receive an error, "Failed to play test tone" when I try to test audio

I am downloading the audio drivers from ASUS

I also receive an error, " Sound Recorder cannot be found" on occasion or is shows up in my event viewer.

This all happened when watching a new movie through Windows Media Center. WMC crashed. Upon reboot WMC no longer plays ANY movies or 'video'. Other players only give me video no sound

 

[NewToit]

Update:
I did a system restore to 1/10/2010

The sound worked fine until Windows did some system updates. This seems to confirm my suspicion it is a software issue / driver. I am going to do a second system restore today to the same date. I am trying to identify what driver, program or windows update is causing the issue. What type of information will help you help me?

BUT, when my sound stopped working on 1/17/2010 Event Viewer shows no updates. At the time of the crash no software was changed, deleted or added. All I was doing was watching a movie.

Also, I am shocked no one has thrown an idea or suggestion to me. Am I asking my question poorly, have I done something wrong? Is it an unusual problem, 'you' are just stumpped? Or am I just being pushy and impatient?

 

[hoganth]

Probably a little impatient. Post up a screenshot of your device manager and lets see whats happening with the audio. Also, having read through your posts, I am confused as to whether or not your sound was working after your AVG deleted a file or was it a windows update release. There are many people here who will help you. It just takes a lot of time with complicated issues. A lot of people are having sound card issues with Win 7 as evidenced by the number of posts in this forum. It took me 2 weeks to get the sound working on my Soundblaster Audigy. Was a stupid setting in the speaker dialog box!

 

[NewToit]

Probably a little impatient. Post up a screenshot of your device manager and lets see whats happening with the audio. Also, having read through your posts, I am confused as to whether or not your sound was working after your AVG deleted a file or was it a windows update release. There are many people here who will help you. It just takes a lot of time with complicated issues. A lot of people are having sound card issues with Win 7 as evidenced by the number of posts in this forum. It took me 2 weeks to get the sound working on my Soundblaster Audigy. Was a stupid setting in the speaker dialog box!

I edited post #2, if you re-read it, it should make sense - let me know. This was the source of your confusion I believe. Regardless, I have not investigated the issue of avast deleting an important audio file/program/registry entry yet. Despite hours of searching I have been unable to locate a list of common programs that must exist in windows for audio to work - is there such a thing? If so should I investigate?

The only time since the 17th, since the WMC crash, I have had sound was last night. I did a system restore, I did not understand but followed the instructions on the screen. I restored back to 1/10/2010, I pulled that date from thin air. The date was marked as a system restore point. I do not remember how exactly but it caught my attention. My sound worked perfect after this restore, Win 7 came on played that tune! I WAS SO EXCITED! WOOOHOO! I listened to music full blast for an hour and my kid played WoW. Hearing her kill others in arena was very up lifting . I ignored instructions to reboot one final time. When I finally did reboot windows did some additional updates to internal programs, software & drivers. It also said it was 'configuring' stuff - like is is susposed to, I guess? I truthfully do not know exactly know what it did. If important I bet it is in a log somewhere, right? However, when this happened, after restore to 1/10/2010 another reboot was requested. When this reboot was done and these 'things' were updated the sound stopped working again. I went to the windows updates and manually uninstalled what I could. Does that make sense? The restore date was 1/10/2010, so Windows on its own updated 'things' until 1/21/2010. I removed or otherwise attempted to roll back what I could in hopes to reduce the complexity of the issue of find the solution - it did not work.

Impatient huh? Ok, sorry I will do better at waiting. It is frustrating as I lack advance knowledge, I follow these 'fix' instructions but do not understand the mechanics. Obviously you overlooked the fact I am impatient thanks !!! I know it might be difficult to follow me at times, I am too verbose. I am learning a lot about my MoBo, sound, windows 7 and realtek at the moment. However, I do not understand a lot of it. Just doing what others say. So, I am just trying to give all the info I can, stating too much of the obvious or explaining things wrong might be an issue too. If something does not make sense I will do my best to restate/reexamine. Keeping in mind I type too much, I will stop here.

I will figure out how to do that screen shoot. I will put up the information you requested. THANK YOU! If anyone thinks other screen shots might be useful please let me know.

-Tony

 

[NewToit]

Screen Captures

LOL! That was awesome. As you all knew most likely. Windows has a program to let you take photographs of your screen as it looks from your POV. It was really fun! I might have taken too many snapshots. However, I did my best to include all of the things I have looked at or tinkered with. The only thing I believe I did not include were the errors from window media center. Did I over look something?

I know in some of the snap shots the balance is cranked over to right - this is not my issue. In shot 7/8 I was playing an audio file(mp3 from lime wire). Usually stuff lights up green as the song is played - no sound and 'no light up'. When I try to play a test tone I captured the error I receive. On 8/8 was the error from sound recorder. Something is wrong with that too - whatever it is.

I am getting no sound. THANKS a bunch

-Tony

 

[NewToit]

Bump?

I guess I titled the message wrong or gave too much information? Wouldn't it have been stuff you suggested anyhow? The update: When I system restore to 1/10/2010. The computer loads up and the sound works fine. However, windows tells me I need to reboot to finish the restore config. When I reboot the sound no longer works(back to initial problem). But, if I do not reboot it works perfect.

 

[stormy13]

Bit of a stab here, but go in to Programs and Features and using the "Nvidia Drivers" entry uninstall the Nvidia audio driver (select Custom to be able to uninstall just the audio driver). Have a feeling it is conflict between the actual Realtek driver and whatever gets installed with the Nvidia chipset driver.

 

[NewToit]

Bit of a stab here, but go in to Programs and Features and using the "Nvidia Drivers" entry uninstall the Nvidia audio driver (select Custom to be able to uninstall just the audio driver). Have a feeling it is conflict between the actual Realtek driver and whatever gets installed with the Nvidia chipset driver.

Stormy? Anyone?

As mentioned in thread number one I am downloading Audio drivers from ASUS. Then I have been downloading the latest realtek drivers. Is that what I ought to be doing? If so which drivers should I install 1st? I've tried just the ASUS, just the realtek. Them both. So many times I did not write down all results. CLEAN SLATE. This time if someone can advise which one and order I will do it right!
=======================
Stormy TY, The only Nvidia panel I can find right now is a configuration panel for audio. I am going to continue to search. It is odd as whatever it is... is effecting the video output for my wmc. When I do fresh restore 1/10 no reboot WMC works too.

 

[stormy13]

To uninstall the Nvidia audio driver you do this,



and if there will be listed amongst the rst of any installed Nvidia drivers, just check it and only it.

As far as the Realtek driver goes just get the latest directly from them,

http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/3756-latest-realtek-hd-audio-driver-version.html

 

[NewToit]

Still no sound. I figured it might have been me. I tried to re-install just the realtek. When I did, "No device driver is supported by this package" - pic included. I am still getting the pop up error, "Failed to play test tone".

WHY THE HECK does it work after I do a system restore then when I reboot, as windows tells me no sound when it boots back up.

I have the windows 7 upgrade. I do not have anything backed up. But, this is how we watch TV - sound is priority. I want to start from scratch if there are no last minute suggestions.

Do I pop in the Win7 Upgrade CD and do a repair? I believe the original OS was Vista before I ran the upgrade. Upgrade cd was mailed to my home a day or 2 after computer.


Attached are my last 4 pictures for quick look at. Then if you can give me a link or idea how to just start over again.

Thanks,

Tony:sarc:

 

[stormy13]

I have the windows 7 upgrade. I believe the original OS was Vista before I ran the upgrade.

That could be it. Upgrade installs are great in theory, and usually not so great in practice. In your case I would go with backing up anything on there you want to save and then do a clean install using your upgrade disk,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[NewToit]

NO, NO, NO! You were supposed to have looked at those last 4 pictures and had an 'holy crap there is his problem' moment.


TYVM - I will follow that thread as directed. Now where did I put that darn CD :shock:

 

[NewToit]

Problem Solved - Fresh Start

I simply reinstalled Windows following the instructions:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

I am not sure which option I choose, I do not recall. However, I had it save all of my current files in: "windows.old" directory.

After the reinstall, it was PDQ(pretty darn quick), all I had to do was copy programs from the "Windows.old" directory to where I needed - PRESTO there they are in 100% working order!!!!

My sound now works like a champ - as does the computer. Thank you to the 1-2 people who offered advice. Thank you to the hundred or so that might have tried to find advice! I am still VERY concerned as I was never able to establish what the problem was. . . I just found the fix. However, I am still in process of reinstalling some software. If I encounter the error again hopefully I will easily be able to ID the cause. I know what I installed, what updates I had, what I was doing and can review logs.

I did an upgrade from Vista to Win 7 64 Home Premium Edition. I used the CD Microsoft provided me with and followed the link above. So easy a cave man can do it!!!! Each step description was on the mark, helpful and easy to follow.

THANKS DUDES/DUDETTEs