"Sound Recorder cannot record or play back because a sound device is not installed" error message when you try to play a sound (.wav) file in Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q133073 SYMPTOMS
When you try to play a sound (.wav) file, you may receive the following
error message:
Sound Recorder cannot record or play back because a sound device
is not installed. To install a sound device, click 'Add New
Hardware' in Control Panel.
CAUSE
This problem can occur if the "drivers=MMSYSTEM.DLL" entry is missing from
the [boot] section of the System.ini file.
RESOLUTION
Add the following line to the [boot] section of the System.ini file:
drivers=MMSYSTEM.DLLIf the line is present but has a semicolon (;) at the beginning, remove the semicolon. MORE INFORMATION
Following the instructions in the error message does not eliminate the
problem, nor does removing and reinstalling the device in Device Manager.
Removing and reinstalling all multimedia components also does not eliminate
the error message.
This problem can also cause other symptoms. When you try to adjust the volume using Mixer Control you may receive the following error message:
There are no active mixer devices available. You may install or
activate mixer devices from Control Panel. This application will
now exit.
Media Player will run with this problem present, but the only device listed
in the Devices menu will be Video For Windows.
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