The default audio playback device in Windows Vista does not automatically shift to the next available audio playback device when you swap HDMI cables

If you move a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable from one HDMI output port to another HDMI output port on a computer that has multiple HDMI output ports, Windows Vista will not detect the change in HDMI cable connections. When this occurs, the default audio playback device in Windows Vista does not automatically shift to the next available audio playback device.

Additionally, Windows Vista may report that the audio playback device is working, even though the HDMI cable is not plugged into the HDMI port.

This issue occurs because the audio device driver for the HDMI output port incorrectly reports the cable state.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
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   , and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound.
3. Under Sound, click Manage audio devices.
4. Click the playback device from which you want to output sound.
5. Click Set Default, and then click OK.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.