Windows 7 default audio not working but sounds played with software

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  1. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Windows 7 default audio not working but sounds played with software


    Hi Everyone,

    I can no longer control the system sounds on Windows 7 x64 SP1 (6.1.7600600385).
    And the issue is quite weird, unfortunately.


    Summary: Sounds are played regularly by third-party software such as VLAN VLC, Chrome Youtube, Audacity. But System sound files are not played by the Audio control and by all applications that interface directly with system audio/files.

    The motherboard supports 7.1 audio, but actually two standard speakers are connected with the usual jack connector.

    The volume of the Windows traybar Mixer allows me to choose the volume and moving the vertical slider the typical beep is being played.

    The Audio control panel shows Realtek high-definition audio as a selected preset playback device (*).
    However, if I select the Sound tab, any of those system sounds that are predefined (eg Critical Shutdown or Windows logon) will not play any sound with the Play test.

    Instead, from the Windows control panel, opening Audio Realtek HD Manager, the configuration is basic "Stereo" and the test is performed correctly.

    From the Windows Services, the "Audio" service and "Windows Audio Endpoint Generator" are regularly started. Even doing a manual reboot of the latter (which in turn also reboots 'Windows Audio'), does not produce any benefit.

    Note that running a virtual machine with Windows 10 as a client in VMware, until it uses the host sound card (i.e. Windows 7), does not play any sound, nor system sound nor audio of a third-party software. As soon as I select the 'emulated' sound card, it restores the entire audio functionality within the virtual client. Usually such a tweak is not required.

    So there are corrupted in the files / sound settings of the host system (Windows 7). Unfortunately, there is no Windows 7 restore point available.


    Command line execution with elevated administrative rights (with UAC that obviously does not play any system sound): sfc /scannow gives a 100% perfect result without violations.


    Also the execution of:

    dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth ended with a checksur.log within the %windir% \ logs \ CBS path that shows "No errors detected". (Windows6.1-KB2966583-x64 had been previously installed).


    (*) I also deleted Realtek drivers in order to get a clean High Definition Audio Device with Windows 7 system drivers. But the problem remained.

    A summary of the current behaviour is well illustrated in the following video uploaded to dropbox:

    Dropbox - High Definition Audio vs Mixer volume -- 2018-08-18_10-51-20.mp4


    Final note: the issue arose after running a "portable" audio / video editing software that probably disrupted system settings or DLLs.

    Any suggestions to regain the control of system sounds/audio, please?
    Thank you for your help.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #2

    Hi entib,
    Do you have a restore point or backup system image to restore to created prior to your issue?
    See my footer blue text!
    What "portable" audio/video editing software please.
    Nic
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Nic,
    Thanks for your reply.

    >>Unfortunately, there is no Windows 7 restore point available.>>
    There is no restore point or adequate backup to restore what I need. Without my knowledge it has been disabled.
    Clearly that would be the easier solution but it is not available and this thread would be here to describe that peculiar behaviour of the system audio. The backup has been performed after discovering the issue and... overwriting the previous image.

    The portable software was a proprietary compilation of a software using VMware ThinApp or other similar compilers such as Spoon. The actual name of the audio/video editing software is not relevant.

    Any practical suggestion in order to fix the audio issue, kindly?
    Last edited by entib; 18 Aug 2018 at 14:56.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #4

    Probably the simplest although somewhat time consuming is a Repair Install

    Do you have Win7x64 Ultimate DVD, USB, or ISO?

    If not TechBench all editions (pro, home premium, etc.) can be made available from any windows 7 iso - either by removing the ei.cfg file from the sources folder, or by using eicfg_removal_utility.zip

    Use7-Zipto extract the contents of the ISO to a new folder on your desktop. Open the folder, select setup, and follow the prompts, you want Upgrade, which doesn't really upgrade, it replaced the OS and leaves all your files, folder, music, installed apps in tack. It creates a backup folder Windows.old.

    Here's a video by Brian at Britec Computers UK
    Repair Install to Fix Windows 7 Without Reformatting by Britec

    To speed up the process of installing a myriad of updates, new tool Dism++ | New Windows Utility. I've use it a few times and it is much faster than Win Update, and provides information as to problems caused on certain machines or with certain apps installed and give you the option to install it or not. Easy to navigate Graphical User Interface (GUI) SWEET!!

    Make sure you have your 25 character product key, you can locate it with KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean. You want the CD Key not product id.

    Nic
    Last edited by Snick; 18 Aug 2018 at 16:12. Reason: add info
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Nic,
    Thank you for your suggestion. I hoped for a less dramatic solution.
    However I have just ask some clarifications in the Repair Install thread should I eventually follow that path. Let's see.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #6

    What clarification do you wish? I've repair installed numerous times, even on machines that had so much registry and component hive corruption that it didn't work with the normal procedure. In my humble opinion, there are no dumb questions. Of utmost importance is that you are comfortable with the procedure, you don't have any remaining questions, and resolution of your issue!

    Repair install is pretty simple really, you have to place all the files on your computer, either from DVD, USB or ISO file. You open the folder, find Setup and run it. It runs essentially the same as a fresh/clean install from a DVD or USB. When you get to the screen that says upgrade that is what you want. You don't really upgrade, you are replacing the current damaged version of windows with the copy in that folder.

    Brian's video is excellent; viewing it a few times will settle your nerves somewhat. I always recommend before attempting this, you backup you system with a full disk image. I recommend AOMEI Backupper free, as do some on SevenForums, and others recommend Macrium Reflect free. I've found that Macrium is a little more daunting in regards to using that software. They both do the job, which is what matters.

    Nic
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I asked my concerns in the proper thread as linked above. Here it would have been off topic. :)
    Backup has been already performed.
    Thank you.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #8

    You are most welcome!!!!
    Usually if questions/concerns are related to the thread's main issue, Admins don't take it down.
    Keep us posted as to your progress.
    Wishing you the best.
    Nic
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 26
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Nic,
    The Repair Install on place has been completed. The sounds are back!
    Thank you for your help and suggestion to follow this procedure.
    I was quite scared...
    Now I am relieved!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,615
    Win 10 x64, Linux Lite, Win 7 x64, BlackArch, & Kali
       #10

    Awesome, glad to hear your noise is back!
    Instead of waiting on Windows Update use this
    DISM++
    Download the compressed file and extract the contents to a new folder on your desktop
    Open the folder and click on DISMx64

    When the program opens, click on update, then scan, be patient it will take a few minutes to scan your computer for installed updates. When the scan completes, check everything. You will then see popup messages with explanations for some of the problematic updates. Accept or decline whichever you choose. Click Install, you can minimize the app and go about your business on the computer if you wish, or run the app overnight, again your choice.

    If you don't run any AV or malware tools
    My recommended AV’s, malware scanner, adware scanner, pup scanners
    Avast Free this is what I use, Anti-virus.
    BitDefender Free Edition don’t use but highly recommend
    Malwarebytes Premium (it’s a free 30-day trial) If you utilize the free trial, it includes MB anti-exploit & MB anti-ransomware & will remove the standalone versions that you can obtain and install through the below links.
    Malwarebytes Free this is what I use, one of the best all-around scanners, period.
    BitDefender free, don’t use, but highly recommend, there is also a paid version.
    SuperAntiSpyware free, this is what I use, there is also a paid version that runs real-time.
    ADWCleaner Malwarebytes recently purchased from Tools.lib, available on both websites
    HitmanProx32 scan is free, and one time trial virus removal, you can use Revo Uninstaller
    to remove it and trial cookies if it finds malware to remove, then you can use the trial again.
    HitmanProx64 scan is free, and one time trial virus removal, you can use Revo Uninstaller to remove it and trial cookies if it finds malware to remove, then you can use the trial again.
    Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit this is what I use, real-time exploit protection, drive-bys, ssl injection, etc.
    Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware this is what I use, real-time ransomware protection.
    TDSSkiller this is what I use, rootkit scanner.
    VirusTotal online multi-AV scanner. If you download the app, it adds entry to right-click context menu. You can right-click on the file you wish to scan, and a couple clicks sends the file to them for analysis

    Wishing you the best. If you have any additional concerns or question, we're here for you!

    Nic
      My Computer


 
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