computer help?

[rivendellrose]

Having tracked my recent audio problem to a single program.... I'm faced with a whole new problem.

In order to get my poor computer to actually play sound, I have to go into Task Manager and turn off devldr32.exe, as well as the media player, then start the media player again. Fine. Whatever. Irritating, but not absolutely awful.

However. When I check into this program online, this is what I get: A lot of contradictory shit. So... I know I'm not the most computer-saavy person in the world, but it's either necessary, or I should remove it ASAP. It can't be both. If there's a virus attached to it and thus I have to remove it... then how the heck do I get it back again once I remove it (presuming I even can, since my virus-scans and adware scans and all that aren't recognizing this thing as a threat)?

And, lastly, I know there's a thing (yeah, I know, real technical of me) where one can control what programs run themselves in the background at start-up. I can't find it. You type something into the "run" option on the Start menu... and that's as far as I get before I totally forget what to do.

*Hates computer management with a passion*

Comments

[zhapper.livejournal.com]

Hey, it sounds like creative's software is fighting with your windows sound management software. Do you have a lot of junk under a creative folder somewhere on your start menu?

devldr32.exe is a process that passes information from windows over to creative's fancy control panel and back. It kind usurps the windows control of your audio system.

It's not necessary, but it's not a threat either. It came with your soundcard and somewhere there is a piece of creative's software that isn't working anymore. I'd reinstall your audio drivers or uninstall creative's stuff.

Or there is always the option of getting me to do some freelance work. I can check it out if you'd like.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Not that I can find... I can't actually find a "Creative" folder at all. Which is probably not the greatest of signs, since I'm sure it's there somewhere, as I theoretically have the drivers and stuff all in there.

So if I find it, I just uninstall it, then reinstall my drivers if necessary?

One of these days I'll have to figure this stuff out on my own, eventually... but I may have to take you up on that if I haven't figured it out pretty soon. It's not really bad, it's just frustrating to have to mess with the thing every time I want to play something with audio.

[zhapper.livejournal.com]

If you go to windows update and install the new drivers for Creative Soundblaster, it should also get rid of this problem. It's a pretty widespread thing. I guess it doesn't quit when it's told to.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, awesome. I'd assumed that part wasn't viable for me, since I have my computer set to auto-update, but maybe it doesn't do drivers or something unless you tell it?

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Okay... that sounded a lot simpler than it turns out to be, I guess. How do I find the new drivers on Windows Update? They're not showing on the list of optional updates...

[zhapper.livejournal.com]

Well, crud.

They should be in there.

Try following this link and see if it works: http://creative.com/language.asp?sDestUrl=/support/downloads/su.asp

Do you know what sound card you have?

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I don't know off-hand... I assume I can look it up somewhere in my system properties, though?

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Found it - Creative SB Live! Value (WDM). Also, apparently "Legacy Audio Drivers."

[zhapper.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you want new drivers.

[zhapper.livejournal.com]

http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/

Just click the option under sound blasters for live and then live under the live family heading.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Alrighty, done.

Thanks so much for helping me out with this!

[kleio-the-muse.livejournal.com]

where one can control what programs run themselves in the background at start-up.

If this was answered already, please ignore, but I think it's 'msconfig' that you type into Run at Start Menu. At least that's what it is in ME, don't know about others. Anyway, it should take you to the place where you can uncheck start-up programmes.

And I feel your pain. My life with the computer has one long and pointless battle lately. And worst of all, I seem to be losing. But there will be casulties, oh yes. *g*

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

That'a it! THANK YOU!!!! I've been trying to remember that darned command for weeks now! I'm running XP, now, but hopefully if it doesn't work straight away as the same thing, I can at least search under the help function, now that I know one possible name.

Fighting with my computer is sort of like... dancing the tango with a very determined lead who wants to go in the opposite direction you do. I should've known our relationship was bound to be Special way back when I had to have her hard-drive replaced because she fried it after I'd had her about a week. Still don't know what did it, all those years ago, but yay for warranties.

I hope yours starts behaving soon! Whip it into shape! ;)