Losing Sound and Ability to Play all videos

[Caladin00]

Hi guys!

I've run into a problem that I don't think is computer breaking but one that is nonetheless incredibly annoying.
Every now and then, I'll be using my desktop (with Windows 7) with no problems at all when suddenly, the sound on my computer completely dies and I completely lose the ability to watch any and all videos, whether they are stored on my computer or online like on YouTube. Everything else works fine save for those two things. I've tried updating graphics drivers, I've used windows update, and I've gone online to search for answers, but nothing is working. So far, the only fix I've found is completely restarting my computer. This usually happens 2-4 times per day. Like I said, I don't think its harmful to my computer but it's incredibly irritating.

Does anybody have a solution to this problem? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
~ Connor

 

[fireberd]

As you are losing both video and sound, I would think there is a running program that is conflicting. I don't think there is actually a problem with the sound, just that the loss of sound is a by product of whatever is causing the PC issue.

Download and run the free Resplendence Latency Monitor program. See if that shows anything, as a start.
Resplendence Software - LatencyMon: suitability checker for real-time audio and other tasks

Also look at what is in the startup. Maybe something there that is causing it.

 

[Caladin00]

Thanks for the reply. I have an update on the issue. I think this is always happening after my screen goes black for a couple of seconds. When it comes back on, it says my NVIDIA drivers have failed and recovered but then the sound is gone and I've lost the ability to watch any videos.

 

[fireberd]

OK. I think your best bet for help is the Dell Community forum. There are users there familiar with Alienware systems. In fact they have a special section on their forum just for Alienware.

Alienware Club - Dell Community

 

[Caladin00]

Thanks for the help! I'll check it out.