A new spin on old problem: Sound works as admin, not limited user 2

[mattsv]

Yes, this is a bizarre problem and I don't just want to go at it blindly in the dark without some guidance.

When searching, I did not find any posts relevant on tek-tips but I did find a comparable writeup on experts-exchange that I wish to enclose for completeness.

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Security/Win_Security/Q_20589917.html

Here's the story (as I feel it may be relevant in diagnosing this problem):

1 year ago I noticed the soundcard on my desktop computer have problems. In fact, it stopped working outright. So therefore, in order to play sound (music, etc) I had a workaround: I just remote desktopp'ed using my laptop into my desktop. Then, I could stream the sound and it worked fine. It also works over any account (admin or limited user). This (soundcard not working on desktop) wasn't a big problem for me as I rarely require audio.

Yesterday while I was installing a USB 2.0 card into one of my desktop's PCI ports I noticed my sound card was loose. I pushed the card in completely. When I finished with all the installing (hardware wise), I powered up and logged into admin. I did the USB hardware configuring.... then I noticed my sound didn't work. So then I switched users to my limited user and there the sound does work (ie: from speakers connected to the back of the computer... not remote desktop)


What could be the problem? And then, how should I approach solving it?

 

[linney]

I assume it is the limited user who is deaf, your post muddies the water a little.

Is the user with no sound showing "muted" ticked check boxes in Volume Control or Audio Properties, while the Administrator has them unchecked?

 

[mattsv]

Sorry, I screwed up: The title of this thread should be:

A new spin on old problem: Sound works under limited user, not admin


NOT


<s>A new spin on old problem: Sound works as admin, not limited user</s>

 

[mattsv]

linney:

When logged in as limited user, I have tray icon corresponding to sound options.
When logged in as administrator, this is lacking.

---

Furthermore, if as Admin I goto:
Control Panel > Sounds and Audio

The options are greyed and my device is no sound device.

If I do this as limited user, I see:

"SB Live! Wave Device

 

[linney]

Strange reversal of roles as it is usually the limited user who gets the short end of the stick. I wonder if the profile of the administrative user is corrupt?

Can you create another administrative user (or use the Safe Mode built-in Administrator) to check this possibility? What happens to the limited user if you temporarily promote him to administrative?

811151 - How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

Error Message: Windows Cannot Load Your Profile Because It May Be Corrupted (Q318011)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q318/0/11.asp

You could also look at uninstalling the Sound Driver and then installing it again after a reboot.

 

[mattsv]

Wow, logging in SAFE MODE as limited user and playing a sound file with windows media player caused windows media player to crash (along with what seems like stall explorer Explorer)

Then after a while, the media player resumes. I find there is no sound device configured for my limited user while in safe mode.

Bizarre? Or does safe mode not permit sound?

 

[mattsv]

While in SAFE MODE as Administrator, I attempted to uninstall the device: "Creative SB Live! Value (WDM)"

The "Confirm Device Removal" windows box crashed. Went to "(Not Responding)" state.

 

[mattsv]

Could not end task the "Device Manager" window, therefore was forced to restart (not so gracefully)

 

[linney]

Sound Drivers (and other drivers) are not installed in Safe Mode.

Log in by typing Administrator (this is the built-in one) in the box displayed in Normal Mode after pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del (twice) at the Welcome Screen, and enter his password in the password box. Then you can see if the built-in Administrator has sound.

 

[mattsv]

> Sound Drivers (and other drivers) are not installed in
> Safe Mode.

I was hoping I could at least uninstall them in safe mode (where there could be the least interference)

> Log in by typing Administrator (this is the built-in one)
> in the box displayed in Normal Mode after pressing
> Ctrl+Alt+Del (twice) at the Welcome Screen, and enter his
> password in the password box. Then you can see if the
> built-in Administrator has sound.

I use "administrator" for my administrator account (synonymous to root in Unix). When I said administrator doesn't have sound I meant the account "administrator" which is synonymous to "Administrator?". I don't login to another account which has admin rights (though I do notice I have an "Admin" account in my Control Panel > "User Accounts" section. I think I was forced to make this a long time ago.

 

[mattsv]

Aha! Found it! And this is bizarre:

In Control Panel > Sounds and Audio > "Audio" Tab

The Sound Playback device was: "Modem #1 Line Playback"

I changed this to "SB Live! Wave Device" and now sound works!


I notice under "Sound Recording" (same "Audio" Tab) that Default device is set as "Modem #1 Line Playback". Should I change this too to "SB Live! Wave Device"?

 

[mattsv]

Also, any idea why the options could have been set to:
"Modem #1 Line Playback

 

[linney]

Change it too. This is a selection on a drop down menu that just could have been mis-selected, or sometimes if no correct driver is available it is a default selection.

Glad you fixed it anyway.

 

[mattsv]

Me too. Thanks for all of your help.

 

[linney]

You found the trouble yourself, and no doubt this will help someone in the future, so have a star, on me.