Knowledge Base

"Sound Recorder cannot record or play back because a sound device is not installed" error message when you try to play a sound (.wav) file in Windows 95

Article ID: 133073

Article Last Modified on 11/15/2006

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q133073

SYMPTOMS

When you try to play a sound (.wav) file, you may receive the following error message:
Sound Recorder cannot record or play back because a sound device is not installed. To install a sound device, click 'Add New Hardware' in Control Panel.

CAUSE

This problem can occur if the "drivers=MMSYSTEM.DLL" entry is missing from the [boot] section of the System.ini file.

RESOLUTION

Add the following line to the [boot] section of the System.ini file: 
   drivers=MMSYSTEM.DLL
If the line is present but has a semicolon (;) at the beginning, remove the semicolon.

MORE INFORMATION

Following the instructions in the error message does not eliminate the problem, nor does removing and reinstalling the device in Device Manager. Removing and reinstalling all multimedia components also does not eliminate the error message.

This problem can also cause other symptoms. When you try to adjust the volume using Mixer Control you may receive the following error message:
There are no active mixer devices available. You may install or activate mixer devices from Control Panel. This application will now exit.
Media Player will run with this problem present, but the only device listed in the Devices menu will be Video For Windows.

Additional query words: wmptop

Keywords: KB133073


Send feedback to Microsoft

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.