V3.5 - I Cannot Hear Sounds

Problem: I cannot hear any sounds or the sounds will not play in version 3.5.

Solution: [In version 3.9 on Vista computers, be sure you have installed Vista Service Pack 1 -- that usually fixes this issue.]

In versions 3 and version 3.5 most of our sounds used compressed wav sound files so we could fit them all on the CD-ROM. These sounds must be decompressed in order to be played. Windows comes with Multimedia files that are used to decompress these sounds so they can be played. Occasionally, these Multimedia files can become corrupt, get uninstalled by other programs or sometimes they are not installed when Windows is installed.

1. Please make sure that your speakers are turned on and plugged in properly, that the volume is turned up, and if there is a mute button or switch, that it is not activated. Volume can be controlled from your computer screen AND probably from your speakers as well. Check both places. Make sure all speaker wires and cords are snuggly attached.

2. See if you can hear other sounds on your computer (with our program closed). Sounds normally are played when Windows starts and exits. Or use a program that you know has sounds that you have heard before, or try to play a music CD. If you can't hear any sounds at all, then you have a hardware, driver, or settings problem. You should seek professional help in fixing this problem. If you can't hear any sounds at all, even while out program is closed, then it is a problem on your computer and beyond our range of support.

3. You most likely have a small speaker icon by the clock in the lower right corner of your computer screen. Double-click this icon to open the expanded volume control window (a single-click will only open the master volume). Make sure all the volume controls are at least halfway up and that they are not muted. (The line-in control can stay muted or turned down.) The 'Wave' volume control is the one that is most likely to be turned down or muted. Please make sure that this one is turned up.

4. If you cannot hear songs for specific birds, such as Blackpoll Warbler or Cedar Waxwing, but you can hear other songs, the problem is not with the software or your speakers. Folks over 50 years old have trouble hearing these high-pitched sounds. It is perfectly normal.

5. If you got this far and still have not fixed your sound problem, then you probably need to install a new driver for you sound card. Check to see which sound card you have by clicking on Start in the lower left corner of your computer and then clicking on Control Panel. Then click on Sound Devices. Once you determine who made the sound card, go to their web site and check for free downloads. We have found that this fixes the problem 80% of the time -- and it will probably fix your sound problem as well.

6. As a last resort, you may need to remove, then reinstall, the Windows Multimedia options using the following steps (Note: you will need your Windows CD-ROM). You may want to get some help from a very knowledgable person rather than try the following steps on your own:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Click the Windows Setup tab.
4. In the Components list box, if the Multimedia checkbox is checked, uncheck it and click OK to complete the removal.
5. Now re-install by double-clicking the Add/Remove Icon and selecting the Windows Setup tab again.
6. Check the Multimedia checkbox.
7. Click the Details button.
8. Make sure the Audio Compression, Video Compression, Volume Control, Sound Recorder, and Media Player checkboxes are checked. Check any others (like the Sound Schemes) if you'd like...your choice!
9. Click OK, then click OK again. Follow the on-screen directions. If the components cannot be found, you may have to look for them. Click the Browse button and select the ‘Win98’ directory (or the appropriate directory) on the CD.
10. Compressed sound and videos should now play.

OR

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Multimedia.
3. Click the Devices tab.
4. Click the plus in front of Audio Compression Codecs to show the list of installed codecs.

The following codecs need to be added if they are missing:
Microsoft PCM Converter
Microsoft ADPCM Audio CODEC
If one or both of these codecs are missing, then use the Add button to install the missing codec(s).

5. Follow the on-screen directions.
6. Compressed sound should now play.