No audio Device

[mudbug162]

Just recently the sound on my computer has completely vanished. I tried to play a cd on it the other day and it said that there was no audio device on my computer. I have had this computer for almost 2 years and have always had a sound card functioning properly and now all of a sudden it has dissapeared and my hard drive cannot find it to play any sounds. Its really annoying me. If anybody can help, i would be grateful. Thanks p.s i have windows xp

[the_gooner]

Go to sound and audio devices in the control panel, click on the audio tab and select your sound card from the drop down menu, should work!

[mudbug162]

it doesnt give me that option, its shaded in and i cant select it.

[LeMarchand]

One of the recent optional XP "updates" had the same result on my machine. You may need to reload the drivers for your soundcard (or Google for updated drivers if it's been in a while).

[mudbug162]

do i need to know the name of my sound card to get the particular driver?

[LeMarchand]

Can you get to Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager>Sound...Controllers?

It should give you some idea there what card you have. If not, there are various utilities that will scan your machine and should tell you - though it may be quicker to pop open the case and look!