Windows XP Sound Driver problem is a common problem faced by Windows XP users. You are having Windows XP Sound Driver problems if you have the following symptoms :-

1. No sound coming out from your computer’s speaker.
2. During playing sound, progress bar seems to be running but no sound from speakers.
3. Facing skips during playing sound.
4. Some distortion or scratching background noise during sound playing.
5. More seriously, the computer may hang, stop responding to clicks or even restarts itself when playing sound.
6. A series of error messages displayed during playing sound in Windows XP. Refer list below.
   1. MIDI output error detected.
   2. The CD Audio device is in use by another application.
   3. No wave device that can play files in the current format is installed.
   4. Your audio hardware cannot play files like the current file.

To troubleshoot Windows XP Sound Driver problems, here is the suggested solutions.

1. Make sure you are using the most current version of Windows XP sound driver.
   1. To check, go to Control Panel -> System -> Hardware.
   2. Go into Device Manager. Under Sound, video and game controllers tab, make sure all icons are without exclaimation mark.
      

   3. To update a driver to the most current version, double-click on the icon, a properties windows will pop up.
   4. For example, to update my Conexant AC-Link Audio driver (2nd from top, under Sound, video and games controllers), double-click on the icon.
      

   5. To update Windows XP Sound Driver, in the properties page, go to Driver tab and click Update Driver… button and Windows XP will automatically find the latest driver for this sound component.
2. If updating Windows XP Sound Driver to the latest version of driver does not help to solve the problem, a handy tool provided by Windows XP Help and Support Center may help, the Windows XP Sound Troubleshooter.
   1. To start Windows XP Sound Troubleshooter, click -> Sound Troubleshooter.
   2. A help window will pop up and various problem descriptions options are presented.
      

   3. Choose the most suitable one and click Next >.
   4. Some possible solutions to the problem will be displayed. Follow on-screen explaination to try to solve your Windows XP Sound Driver problem.

If all the above failed to solve the Windows XP Sound Driver problem, try to replace the sound hardware, or have a certified technician to have a look at your system to check the Windows XP Sound Driver.