Microsoft KB Archive/188511

= Static or Computer Hangs Playing MIDI Files in Windows 98 =

Article ID: 188511

Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q188511



If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460



SYMPTOMS
When you try to play a Musical Instrument Device Interface (MIDI) file on your Windows 98-based computer, you may hear static, and your computer may stop responding (hang).



CAUSE
This issue can occur if your computer has a slower Central Processing Unit (CPU), and has a sound card that uses a Windows Driver Model (WDM) driver. When Windows 98 installs WDM sound card drivers, it also installs the Microsoft GS Synthesizer tool. This tool is very CPU intensive, and may not perform well if you have a slower CPU.



RESOLUTION
To work around this issue, follow these steps:


 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Multimedia.
 * 2) Click the Midi tab.
 * 3) Under Single Instrument, click a device other than the Microsoft GS Synthesizer, and then click OK.



MORE INFORMATION
The Microsoft GS Wavetable Synthesizer tool is new in Windows 98 and is available only if you are using WDM drivers.

Additional query words: HWSNDTS 98 HWSYSCPU

Keywords: kbhardware kbprb kbsound KB188511

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