Win 7 x64 some sounds not working

I have already disabled/re-enabled Windows Media player, removed and reinstalled the Realtek audio device AND updated to the latest drive from Realtek.

I've also installed K-Lite Codec Pack Mega and its latest update. And I've run the WMP and Audio playing troubleshooters. The WMP one said it fixed several issues but there was zero change in what's not working. The other troubleshooter claimed there's nothing wrong.

Audio works on Youtube. UI sounds all work such as when moving the volume slider and in the Sound control panel. The speaker test in the Realtek software also works.

What does not work is WMP 12 won't play *anything*. Not MP3 or WAV or OGG. There's always some problem. Claims to be a problem with the file or communicating with the server or some other problem. Nor will VLC or WinAMP or Media Player Classic. Solitaire makes no sound. Kerbal Space Program is also totally silent.

Bejeweled 3, silent. Hasbro's Monopoly and Monopoly Here and Now have working audio. Bejeweled has a folder full of WAV files. The Monopoly games have most of their assets packed into a single proprietary "GCF" file. Armada Online and Starscape are both silent. Dunno about Starcraft II because Blizzard is pushing another massive update and I only have a 1.5 meg DSL. :P

I've tried to download the offline Microsoft Fixit package but that just gives up downloading after about a minute.

*something* is screwed up with the media playing and it happened within the past two days. I'd like to be able to fix it without having to reinstall Windows.

Do you have a System Restore point or System Backup Image from before the problem started that you are willing to go back to ?

I tried going back to an automatic checkpoint from late last month but that failed.

DXdiag claimed absolutely nothing was wrong. I downloaded the web install for DX11 and ran that to reinstall DirectX. Now all the sound works again. :)

Dunno why Microsoft removed the tests from DXdiag that actually test the video and audio. All it does in 11 is tell you information that may not be correct.

Now that it's working I'm going to do a manual restore point and delete the old ones.