Suddenly no sound, no microphone & video issues

[123aula]

I suddenly have no sound, the microphone doesn't work and videos won't play online (youtube, etc.). I found out while trying to Skype that there was no sound and the microphone doesn't work anymore (Viber also doesn't work and neither does the call function via Facebook). I have used Skype before on this computer and it worked fine then. All the devices (drivers) are working properly (no yellow exclamation marks of doom) and I haven't changed any settings that I know of. What on earth is going on? I can't even listen to any music! (and yes, I did check that the volume is up).

 

[fireberd]

First suggestion, as it worked previously and now does not, is to use the System Restore function and restore it back to an available restore date when it did work.

System Restore can be accessed from Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools.

System restore will not delete any user data or e-mails, but any programs or updates installed after the restore date will have to be reinstalled. Same way any programs uninstalled will have to be uninstalled again.

 

[123aula]

Thanks for the suggestion but nothing's changed, even after a System Restore. What else can I do?

 

[fireberd]

Go to the Device Manager, RIGHT click on the entry for your PC sound device and then LEFT click "Uninstall" DO NOT check the box to uninstall the drivers. Then restart the PC and when Windows starts it will detect and reinstall the sound. This will fix any Windows sound corruptions, and also fixes varied sound problems.

Is the "R505A" the correct model number? I can't find that on either the US or Australia ASUS site.

 

[123aula]

Thank you so much, that worked!! The model number is actually R505C (will change that in my details).

 

[fireberd]

Great, glad I could help.

 

[123aula]

Your suggestion, fireberd, did work - except that suddenly everything went silent again yesterday (I only noticed because I wanted to watch a video): I did the same thing you suggested above and it worked again. My question is: why does this keep happening? I've only been using my computer for routine stuff (email, word docs, Firefox, Solitaire to stave of the madness, etc.)

 

[fireberd]

It sounds like some program, maybe Skype, is not releasing the sound after its finished with it.

Look at what you have running or ran and try to determine if one of them is causing it.

Do you have an HDMI port on the model? and if you do, is the an HDMI cable attached (If there is, the PC will default to the HDMI for audio rather than the "Speakers" (PC sound chip).

 

[123aula]

I'm still having the same problem - if I uninstall the sound driver, restart computer, let it reinstall the driver, the sound works. But as soon as I turn the computer off again, I have no sound until I repeat the above steps. I'm not using any programs that deal specifically with sound (last time I had the following open: Thunderbird, Firefox, Open Office). Could it be VLC that turns it off? It's how I've been checking if the sound works - by playing a video through VLC.

 

[YoYo155]

Can you specify which model you have exactly?
Asus's website lists three models, R505CA / R505CB / R505CM.

Did you try to update the driver from the support website?

 

[123aula]

I think I have R505CA (that's all I can glean from the small sticker on the back of the computer) - is there somewhere else I can look? I did update the sound driver at the start, when I thought the issue was Skype turning off the sound; that clearly hasn't worked. Though maybe I have to update something else? Or how do I know if it's up to date?

 

[YoYo155]

We can get the information needed via the MSINFO32 file .

Please upload the MSINFO32 file;

rb:Start> Run> Type MSINFO32 then hit [Enter].
In MSINFO32 go to, File> Save> name it your user-name and upload.

 

[123aula]

Thanks for the simple instructions! It saved it as an 'nfo' file, which I'm told is an invalid file when I try to upload it via here... can I change the file's format when I save it? Or have I saved the wrong file?

 

[YoYo155]

No sorry I should have been more specific.
Once the file is saved (.nfo is correct) right click it and choose Sent to → Compressed (zipped) folder.

 

[123aula]

That menu option doesn't come up (I can send it to Format Factory, Skype or DVD RW drive)...

 

[YoYo155]

That's odd.
In that case download WinRAR and use it to compress the file.

 

[123aula]

Right, ok. How's this? I'm not sure if it's attached or not... yeah it is!

 

[123aula]

Sorry but have to dash off (won't be able to come online until Sunday). Thank you so much for your (patient) help so far

 

[YoYo155]

Thanks .

Your system model is actually K56CA, I thought you should know .
As for the driver, the latest one from from Realtek is version 6.0.1.6873
where the one currently installed is 6.0.1.6728 not terribly off so I don't think it's the issue.

I think the issue is that the either the OS or the Realtek "forgets" the about the default
playback device upon a reboot.

c:\program files\realtek\audio\hda\ravcpl64.exe

Please upload a screenshot of the sound utility > Playback tab.

rb:Start → type Sound (it should be the first result under the Control Panel results).




*I understand take your time .

 

[123aula]

Ok (having learned how to take a screenshot), here it is. Does this explain the 'forgetting'?