Encarta: Recording Problems When Two Sound Cards Are Installed (274049)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe 2001 for Windows
  • Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2001 for Windows
  • Microsoft Encarta Language Learning French
  • Microsoft Encarta Language Learning French Deluxe
  • Microsoft Encarta Language Learning Spanish
  • Microsoft Encarta Language Learning Spanish Deluxe
  • Microsoft Encarta Reference Suite 2001
This article was previously published under Q274049

SYMPTOMS

When you use one of the Encarta programs listed at the beginning of this article, you may be unable to use the Text-to-Speech or the Voice Control feature in Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia or record sounds properly in the Microsoft Encarta Language Learning programs.

In addition, you may receive error messages stating that your sound card is not configured properly.

NOTE: The sound recording function in Microsoft Windows may still work properly.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if more than one sound card is installed in your computer.

The recording software that is installed with Encarta Encyclopedia and the Encarta Language Learning programs is associated with a particular sound device. If more than one sound device is installed in the computer, the Encarta program may not be associated with the sound device that is associated with sound recording and playback in Windows.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, temporarily disable the sound device that the Encarta program is associated with, and then uninstall and reinstall the Encarta program.

To do this, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented.

Temporarily Disable the Conflicting Sound Device

To temporarily disable the conflicting sound device:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Multimedia or Sound and Multimedia.
  3. On the Audio tab, note the sound device that is listed in the Preferred device box in the Recording or Sound Recording section.
  4. Click the Devices or the Advanced tab. If you are using Microsoft Windows 2000, click the Hardware tab.
  5. Locate the sound device that is associated with the Encarta program. To do this, use the appropriate method for your operating system.

    Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 98

    1. Click the plus sign (+) next to Audio Devices.
    2. Double-click the sound device that is not listed in the Preferred device box on the Audio tab.

    Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

    1. Click the plus sign (+) next to Audio Devices.
    2. Double-click the sound device that is not listed in the Preferred device box on the Audio tab.

    Microsoft Windows 2000

    Double-click the sound device that is not listed in the Preferred device box on the Audio tab.
  6. Disable the sound device that you identified in step 5. To do this, use the appropriate method for your operating system.

    Windows 95 and Windows 98

    Click Do not use audio features on this device, and click OK.

    Windows Millennium Edition

    Click Do not use audio features on this device, and click OK.

    Windows 2000

    On the General tab,click Do not use this device (disabled) in the Device usage box, and then click OK.
  7. Click OK, and then close all open windows on the desktop.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Encarta Program

To do this, use the appropriate steps for your operating system.

Windows 95 and Windows 98

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click the Encarta program that you want to uninstall, and then click Add/Remove.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall the program. If you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.
  5. Insert the installation CD-ROM for the Encarta program into the CD-ROM drive. Follow the instructions on the screen to reinstall the Encarta program.

Windows Millennium Edition

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click the Encarta program that you want to uninstall, and then click Add/Remove.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall the program. If you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.
  5. Insert the installation CD-ROM for the Encarta program into the CD-ROM drive. Follow the instructions on the screen to reinstall the Encarta program.

Windows 2000

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. In the list of currently installed programs, click the Encarta program that you want to uninstall, and then click Remove.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to uninstall the program. If you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.
  5. Insert the installation CD-ROM for the Encarta program into the CD-ROM drive. Follow the instructions on the screen to reinstall the Encarta program.
When you reinstall the Encarta program and verify that you are able to record sounds properly in the program, you can re-enable the additional sound device without creating a device conflict.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/24/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbprb kbsound KB274049
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.