DreamWorks: No Sound with ESS Sound Card (158120)


The information in this article applies to:

  • DreamWorks Interactive, The Neverhood 1.0
  • DreamWorks Interactive, Scholastic's Goosebumps Series: Escape from Horrorland 1.0
This article was previously published under Q158120

SYMPTOMS

When you use one of the programs listed in the applies to section of this article, you may experience one of the following symptoms:

  • You may not hear any sounds in the program.
  • You may receive the following error message:
    Error initializing DirectSound.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if an ESS sound card installed in the computer and the sound card driver is incompatible with DirectX.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, install an updated version of the sound card driver that is compatible with DirectX. To do this, follow these steps:

NOTE: If you are using a Compaq computer, see the More Information section before following these steps.
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click System.
  3. On the Device Manager tab, click the PLUS SIGN (+) next to Sound, Video And Game Controllers to expand the branch.
  4. Click the sound card installed in the computer, and then click Remove.
  5. When you are prompted to confirm the removal. click OK.
  6. Click OK or Close.
  7. Double-click Add New Hardware, and then click Next.
  8. When you are asked if you want Windows to search for your hardware, click No, and then click Next.
  9. Under Hardware Types, click Sound, Video And Game Controllers, and then click Next.
  10. Click Have Disk.
  11. In the Copy Manufacturer's Files From box, type the following line and then click OK

    <drive>:\Setup\Ess

    where <drive> is the letter of the CD-ROM drive.
  12. In the Models box, click the model of the sound card installed in the computer, and then click OK.
  13. Click Finish, and then restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

Compaq Computers

If you are using a Compaq computer, you may be able to resolve this issue by following these steps:
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Multimedia.
  3. Under Playback, click Game Compatible Device in the Preferred Device box.
  4. Click the Use Preferred Devices Only check box to select it, and then click OK.
  5. Close Control Panel, and then restart the computer.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/6/2003
Keywords:kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbprb kbsound KB158120
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.