Recently I had to get a new computer. (The hard drive & on button on the old one were burning out.) The shop went behind my back and changed my XP Home to XP Pro. XP Pro doesn't seem to like MIDI. Result - I can't get my MIDI or NWC files to sound and I can't get the MIDI controller to make a sound. It types notes in, but no sound.

I sent a query to Noteworthy with my customer number and all, but the e-mail has come back. They don't put their address or phone number on their website. (Hell of a way to treat a customer.)

I've kept a record of what was on the Options and MIDI tabs before the lads f*cked up my happy home, but still no sound.

My controller came with a program called MusicStar. I've put MusicStar on my computer (used their CD) in case it sets up the files which make the sound happen. Perhaps MusicStar is 'hogging' the MIDI now so that Noteworthy can't get at it.

My plan was:

Install MusicStar (which I don't need)
Install Noteworthy Composer (which I have been using for 10 years)
Remove MusicStar
Use Noteworthy


MusicStar is so old it doesn't have Uninstall. When I try to remove it with Add/Remove programs on the Control Panel, it's not on the list of programs to remove. Yet it is on the Start menu under All Programs. Some 'Pro' OS, eh? Can't even find a program which is on itself.

Apparently Big Brother (Microsoft) is out to destroy the world of MIDI. How can we fight back?