[jcunning]

Hello all, I just joined here because i am having problems with my computer (built from various parts, running windows xp 32bit) and i read a post here and it seemed like this would be the place to try for help. yesterday i received some free computer components because they were thought to be no good. so i threw them all together and all is well except for graphics and sound. I am actually using this computer to write this post. anyways, Ill break the issues up into separate paragraphs to ease the read.

Graphics problem: the problem im having with my graphics is the computer will show color for website text and such, but when it comes to pictures, there color absent and pixelated. I cant view pictures, all i see is vague outlines of objects in a field of black and white pixes, and maybe some colored pixels. i tried updating the drivers, but there all up to date. no errors pop up either.


Sound problem: the problem im having with sound is that its totally absent. whenever i get near anything that would normally have sound the following error pops up, "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem with your sound device. There may not be a sound device installed on your computer, it may be in use by another program, or it may not be functioning properly." according to the person that gave the components to me, he said they functioned properly when he used them about a year before, but not all in one machine. Help??

[etaf]

Sound problem: the problem im having with sound is that its totally absent. whenever i get near anything that would normally have sound the following error pops up, "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem with your sound device. There may not be a sound device installed on your computer, it may be in use by another program, or it may not be functioning properly." according to the person that gave the components to me, he said they functioned properly when he used them about a year before, but not all in one machine. Help??

whats in device manager and ? or ! listed
view - show hidden devices

what windows version is installed - and we can move to that forum


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Device Manager
Post back the results in device manager
If you cannot access the internet with this PC, then you will need to copy the program across to the faulty PC
Save the file to a USB flash drive or other removable media. Plug it into the working computer with internet access and copy the file and paste here.

how to access device manager for different windows versions
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000833.htm

windows key and pause Key should open to allow device manager to be seen,
on a laptop you may need to use windows key + FN key + Pause Key

if this does not work then

Windows 7 or Vista
Click on the Start Orb
In the Start Search box type
device manager and then press enter

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Start > control Panel {Vista set to classic view}> system > {Vista, device manager on left hand side} {XP hardware Tab, device manager button} >
windows 7
start > control panel> System and Security> Device Manager

To post a screen shot of the active window, hold the Alt key and press the PrtScn key. Open the Windows PAINT application and Paste the screen shot. You can then use PAINT to trim to suit, and save it as a JPG format file.
To upload it to the forum, open the full reply window and use the Manage Attachments button to upload it here
Full details are here http://library.techguy.org/wiki/TSG_...g_a_Screenshot
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this may also help
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...und-in-windows

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix common sound problems in Windows, including no sound coming from your speakers or headphones. This tutorial doesn't cover sound problems related to specific programs. Sound problems can be caused by cables that aren't connected properly, corrupt drivers, incompatible drivers, sound settings, missing updates, and problems with your sound card.

How to use this tutorial

For best results, complete each step before moving on to the next one. Check for sound after each step before going to the next step.