Driver or hardware issue?

T

thedeadlywar

New Member
At the bottom right hand corner, I have an audio symbol with a red x on it. Sometimes upon restarting, It displays as working, but most programs with audio involved instantly stop responding, explorer.exe crashes randomly, and I have various problems with it. Most the time it just doesn't read that there is any output device installed though. It says my drivers are up to date, I've tried a clean boot. Any ideas? I don't think hardware issues would be causing all of the other programs to malfunction. If I were to manually install new drivers how do I check compatibility?

On a side note, about a month prior, my laptop started having a start up issue where it turns itself on and off repeatedly, stays on for 2 seconds, shuts off, then repeats. I've discovered that randomly repeatedly pressing any button will cause it to start up every time without fail. Also my disk drive refuses to read any CD's, this computer is getting kinda old, so hardware damages wouldn't be a surprise
 
To allow us to help us better, could you tell us more about your
computer, such as your version of Windows (Service Packs installed?),
are you using a 32 bit or 64 bit version of Windows, is this a
branded computer like Dell or HP, if it is, what's its make and
model. Or if you have built the computer yourself, what are the main
components used, sound card? Also, are you using any Anti-Virus software? If so,
which one?
 
about a month prior, my laptop started having a start up issue where it turns itself on and off repeatedly, stays on for 2 seconds, shuts off, then repeats. I've discovered that randomly repeatedly pressing any button will cause it to start up every time without fail.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you may be experiencing some type of hardware failure. Does it stay on without issue after your "press random button" fix?

What about safe mode? Boot into safe mode (press F8 repeatedly when the computer first boots - then choose "Safe Mode" from the menu.) and see if it has trouble starting up.

If not, go to Start-->Run-->type in 'msconfig' and hit <enter>

In the Startup tab, uncheck everything that you do not need running in the background at startup and click "Apply." Then, in the Services tab, check Hide All Microsoft Services, uncheck everything that you do not need running in the background at startup and click "Apply."

Restart the computer and see if it will boot into normal mode then.

Sounds like you've got multiple issues with this computer, so I won't even bother with the audio problem. Is a complete reformat/reinstall out of the question? Or a factory restore?
 
deanj20 said:
Sounds like you may be experiencing some type of hardware failure. Does it stay on without issue after your "press random button" fix?

What about safe mode? Boot into safe mode (press F8 repeatedly when the computer first boots - then choose "Safe Mode" from the menu.) and see if it has trouble starting up.

If not, go to Start-->Run-->type in 'msconfig' and hit <enter>

In the Startup tab, uncheck everything that you do not need running in the background at startup and click "Apply." Then, in the Services tab, check Hide All Microsoft Services, uncheck everything that you do not need running in the background at startup and click "Apply."

Restart the computer and see if it will boot into normal mode then.

Sounds like you've got multiple issues with this computer, so I won't even bother with the audio problem. Is a complete reformat/reinstall out of the question? Or a factory restore?
Click to expand...

I only have availability to downgrade to xp, don't have vista software. Yeah, the random button fix leaves it working perfectly, and it has existed ever since i bought a different power supply charger. I'm not sure what the issue is, I have a brand new self build desktop, but I just wanted audio on this one, because I'm usually away from it, laying down or something of the sort.
 
Did you try safe mode or disabling processes as suggested in my previous post? Might solve your problem..?
 
Are you sure the volume just isn't muted? when i hit mute the speaker icon gets a little red x on it too...
 
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