Apps and windows refuse to play audio

[TigerShark]

Hi people.
I dont know if this issue is for videohelp or not but I'll try anyway.
The problem is weird.... really...
Some random days I turn on my pc to find all programs will just refuse to play audio!!

I mean, hitting the play button will not start the reproduction of the file. No errors, no jump to other files, no sound, no seeker bar movement, just like I'd never hit the button in the fist place. This happens with winamp, wmp, mpc, vlc, etc etc.
Windows itself wont play any sound (games, web, etc) but the audio device doesn´t show any problem.

As I said, its random. Some restarts will fix the problem until it just happens again.

I have a Creative x-fi xtreme gamer on an am3 asus mobo (I can provide more details when at home if u need).
Windows 7 pro sp1.

Any hint on how to solve this once and for all?
Thx in advance.

[davexnet]

At least check the Windows Event Log to see if there are any related messages.

Here are some things to try. Enter the BIOS and load optimized defaults. Reseat the card.
Uninstall/reinstall the sound driver.

[TigerShark]

At least check the Windows Event Log to see if there are any related messages.

Here are some things to try. Enter the BIOS and load optimized defaults. Reseat the card.
Uninstall/reinstall the sound driver.

Its a weird behavior and the device manager shows no errors so I think it will turn to be software related. Anyway I'll try reseating the card.
I already did the driver part and the bios has not been changed in ages but I'll try anyway.


Thx.

[Cauptain]

Your motherboard have onboard sound?? Check in windows system for "default sound device".


Claudio

[TigerShark]

Your motherboard have onboard sound?? Check in windows system for "default sound device".


Claudio

It has but its disabled from bios. Default device is the sound blaster.
Anyway if that were the case, apps should start playing, right?

[neomaine]

Anything recently installed or installed around the time this started? Have any codec 'packs'?

[TigerShark]

Anything recently installed or installed around the time this started? Have any codec 'packs'?

Mmmmm it started some weeks ago, I cant remember any significant change.

[neomaine]

Could always be a hardware issue with your sound card. Do you have another PC to try it on, or, another sound card to try? You could always take it out and try the onboard sound as a test. Or, at least re-enable it in BIOS and select it as your default sound. Then, you can test going back and forth between the two.