Music CDs don't play with any program...like winamp, real player...etc

[rhardy99]

I can play a CD only by hitting the play button on the face of the cd-rom drive itself, CD plays fine. But none of these programs work: Winamp, Windows media player, real player...etc.
When I look at MY COMPUTER, then the CD-ROM drive, it says AUDIO CD, if I open it it shows the 16 tracks but for reasons that are driving me nuts is that it won't play on a GUI program!!! I have loaded new Audio drivers, loaded BIOS updates/flashed it, removed & reinstalled the CD-ROM, pulled almost all my hair out, etc.

Specs:
Win2k SP4
CPU=Athlon T-Bird 1300
RAM=PC133 512MB
MB=Gigabyte GA-7ZXE
CD-ROM= ACER 52x
SOUND=Onboard VIA AC'97 (installed latest drivers also)

This has really stumped me!!! Any help would be much appreciated!!! Thanks

 

[MaceratedGoth]

Did you make sure that you have an audio cable going from your cd rom to your sound card? If you don't then you won't be able to use your cd rom for music.

 

[wolluf]

But it plays through the soundcard/speakers from the button on the drive? (because I was going to suggest you have a loose or non-exisitent audio cable connecting the CD drive to the soundcard, but if it actually does work, that's not it).

 

[rhardy99]

That is correct, it plays through my speakers if I hit the PLAY button on the CD-ROM. Therefor that would eliminate an audio cable issue. I am thinking more of a software issue because I can prove that the CD-ROM, Soundcard and speakers all work if I hit the PLAY button on the face of the cd-rom.
For example if I start up a program to play the cd, like Winamp...it shows track-1 4344.4 but NO TIME. The time shows 00:00 and yet the 4344.4 tells me it can see the track & its size but won't play. This is the same with Windows media player 9 & Real Player.
Thanks for your help!

 

[MaceratedGoth]

I'd say buy a cheap sound card and disable the onboard audio controller and it should run fine. But a Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 card. They are like $40/US new and you should have no problem after. Also VIA has a lot of problems with onboard audio so go search their support for answers that should help. Plus the newer drivers are not for your board. Go to your manufacturers site and search for your model type and download those drivers.

 

[MaceratedGoth]

Here are your drivers for your board.

http://www.giga-byte.com/Download/D...d/FileList/Driver/driver_chipset_via_4in1.exe

 

[MaceratedGoth]

Also it says that you have RealTek audio controllers you can find them here

http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard/Support/Driver/Driver_GA-7ZXE.htm

 

[rhardy99]

Yup, I have installed both the Realtek & VIA drivers (Advance I think was bought out by RealTek) but same results for both. Now here is the real kicker...this exact system (hardware that is) played music CDs with no problem about 6 months ago. So that is another reason why I think it might be due to a Windows Update, a newly loaded program, or an act of God. I would like to think that the 2 listed first might be the reason.

Thanks again for the help, advie & time you guys/gals have given!

 

[MaceratedGoth]

Have you tryed to update Winamp or any other audio app you use? This might also fix it. That does sound a little weird. About how long ago did you update?

 

[rhardy99]

Yes, I put on winamp after the other players didn't work. I think the version is 5.02. I must agree on this being weird, of all the issues I have seen, never had one like this. Updates are done pretty regular for windows, usually check every week. Some programs that have been loaded...this will be tuffer to remember: AOL 9 from ver 8, Memorex CD Label Maker, ZoneAlarm, Norton2003 from 2002, that is about all I can think of in the past 6 months since I knew the cd-rom played music cds ok.
So logically thinking....I can eliminate it being a hardware issue because I can get it to play...right? It is just the GUI interface that doesn't work...that would leave the Operating System possible had something changed in the registry???? The issue is the same through several different programs (winamp, media player, real player..etc). All of the programs see the audio CD and list properties about it...like size and the number of tracks but none will play a cd, and yes I have tried several different cds.
So....Win2k reg issue maybe?