Games: Error Message: Microsoft Audio Compression Not Installed (310684)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Links 2003 Championship Edtn EN
  • Microsoft Links 2003
  • Microsoft Links 2001
  • Microsoft MechCommander 2.0 1.0
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Black Knight
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Clan 'Mech Pak
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Inner Sphere 'Mech Pak
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
  • Microsoft MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
  • Microsoft Links 2003 Championship Edition
This article was previously published under Q310684

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start any of the programs that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article, you may receive an error message that is similar to either of the following:
Microsoft Audio Compression not installed.
-or-
Warning, audio compression not installed.

CAUSE

This issue occurs when audio compression is not installed. Microsoft Windows uses codecs, which are algorithms, to compress and decompress sound files. If these codecs are missing, damaged, or turned off, some sound files cannot be played.

RESOLUTION

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps. To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. On the Windows Setup tab, click Multimedia, and then click Details.
  4. Click to clear the Audio Compression check box, and then click OK.
  5. Click OK again.
  6. Restart the computer.
  7. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  8. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  9. On the Windows Setup tab, click Multimedia, and then click Details.
  10. Click to select the Audio Compression check box, and then click OK.
  11. Click OK, and then restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about audio compression, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

141801 Troubleshooting Audio and Video Codecs in Windows 95/98

142731 How to Install and Remove Codecs and MCI Devices in Windows

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/1/2006
Keywords:kbConfig kbprb KB310684
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