Tech: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 10:59 AM

I've lost track of which of the multitude of "music and multimedia" programs are the offenders and which are the nice guys; but I believe that RealPlayer is one that "popped up" from a preinstalled (unactivated) "bonus software" plant on my brand new computer.

IT, or one like it, presented a lengthy RANT about how unscrupulous other media programs were - because they sometimes replaced IT as the default program, and explained that IT included a "protection" program that would reset IT as the default if some other program "took over" while it was turned off.

In other words, if you ever installed IT, the IT would prevent you from ever installing and using any other similar program. This was supposedly to "protect" you from all of those inferior and ill-mannered programs that you might be tempted try to use.

If you did not KILL ITs reset VIRUS when you uninstalled IT, the reset VIRUS may still be lurking there, resetting your file associations to IT, even though IT isn't there to work. Quite likely, ITs reset VIRUS command would be buried somewhere in Windows System folder, and/or in Start and/or Startup folders - remote from where the main program files were, and easily missed during an "uninstall."

First step would be to check "file associations" and see if the program you want is listed to open the file types that are giving you problems.

Next step would be to change the file associations to what you want.

Third step would be to see if the settings you entered stay put after you've tried to use the file types involved.

The last step, if needed can get pretty messy, but depends on your confidence in "treading in dangerous places" and on the specific operating system version you're working with.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 04:53 AM

RealPlayer used to work very well, but now they've changed it so it's primarily a tool that tries to sell you something.
I used to be a big fan of RealPlayer, but now I'm disgusted with them.

I used to use their RealProducer recorder because I could make 500-kilobyte copies of 3-minute recordings, which e-mailed nicely. I downloaded their HelixProducer this week, and the smallest file I could get was 1.5 Megabytes.

John, I'd suggest you uninstall realPlayer, and reinstall your sound card drivers.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tech: Soundcard Problems - Help!!! Jenny
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 12:21 AM

You are wise indeed, not only is it a nasty Windoze 'registery' wrecker it also happens to be so badly coded (programmed) it barely works.

Media Player is a far better option, eventhough it will only work until Bill Gates needs more dough.

Subject: RE: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 11:48 PM

I've been tempted to download realplayer a few times, and I didn't because I'd heard it could cause problems, and being very new to computers, I wouldn't know how to fix it. Hearing this, I'm glad I didn't!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 08:08 PM

RealPlayer is the worst offender there. They've taken a very nice and useful (for web browsing) piece of software and spoiled it that way. I have an older version and I'm not going to upgrade.

Subject: RE: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!
From: Kudzuman
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:32 PM

I had a similar problem and it ended up that I had to reinstall the soundcard itself and then the drivers. Some of these Media players will usurp the whole system for themselves. Dirty little suckers.

Kudzuman

Subject: RE: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!
From: Les from Hull
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:29 PM

Have you tried re-installing the soundcard drivers?

Subject: Soundcard Problems - Help!!!
From: GUEST,john c
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 11:57 AM

For some reason, since I downloaded the Realone Player the other day, my sound card (Soundblaster 16) wont record anymore. That means no Cool Edit, no mp3ing, and, even worse, no telephone! I´ve tried deinstalling Realplayer but that didnt work and now I´ve no idea what to do. If anyone has any ideas at all how to get things back to normal I´d be VERY, VERY grateful.

Thanks in advance,

John