System Sounds Unavailable in Control Panel (117442)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
This article was previously published under Q117442

SYMPTOMS

  • When you choose the Sound icon in Control Panel, the Events and Files lists and the Test button are unavailable even though the proper Windows sound card driver is loaded and set up correctly.

    -or-
  • The following error message appears when you try to run Sound Recorder:
    Sound Recorder cannot record or play back because a sound driver is not installed.

CAUSE

These situations can occur if the following line is missing from the [boot] section of the SYSTEM.INI file or is incorrect: 
     drivers=mmsystem.dll

NOTES

  • Additional *.dll files may be present on the drivers= line.
  • Windows does not generate an error message at startup when the drivers= line is missing.

RESOLUTION

To correct these problems, use a text editor, such as Microsoft Windows Notepad, to add or change the drivers= line to match the following:

drivers=mmsystem.dll

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/5/2003
Keywords:KB117442
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.