Microsoft KB Archive/158122

= DreamWorks Error Message: Error Initializing DirectSound =

Article ID: 158122

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft DreamWorks Interactive The Neverhood
 * Microsoft DreamWorks Interactive Goosebumps Escape from Horrorland

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This article was previously published under Q158122



SYMPTOMS
When you run one of the programs listed at the beginning of this article, you may receive the following error message:

Error initializing DirectSound.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur for any of the following reasons:


 * You have a SoundBlaster sound card configured to use single Direct Memory Access (DMA).
 * You have an outdated sound card driver that is not DirectX compatible.
 * You have mismatched versions of DirectX files installed.



RESOLUTION
Use the following troubleshooting methods to resolve this error message. Step through each troubleshooting method in the order in which they are listed. After each method, test to see if the issue is resolved.

Configuring Direct Memory Access (DMA)
Use the following steps to configure your computer to use both Direct Memory Access (DMA) channels for your SoundBlaster sound card.


 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
 * 2) Double-click System, and then click the Device Manager tab.
 * 3) Double-click Sound, Video and Game Controllers.
 * 4) Double-click your sound card.
 * 5) On the Resources tab, click the Use Automatic Settings check box to select it. This should configure your sound card to use two DMA channels.
 * 6) In the Resource Settings box, make sure two Direct Memory Access entries are listed.

NOTE: If you need to select a specific configuration for two DMA channels, SoundBlaster 16 cards usually use Basic Configuration 6, and SoundBlaster AWE 32 cards use Basic Configuration 0000.

When you select the new configuration, make sure the Conflicting Device List shows No Conflicts.
 * 1) Click OK or Close. When you are prompted to restart the computer, do so.

Updating Your Sound Card Driver
Check the compact disc for updated sound drivers. If an updated driver is available for your sound card, remove the old sound card driver and install the updated driver from the DreamWorks disc.

If a new sound driver is not available on the compact disc, obtain an updated sound driver from your sound card manufacturer.

For more information about changing sound card drivers in Windows, see your Windows printed documentation or online Help.

NOTE: This issue has been reported with older versions of ESS sound cards. For more information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

158120 No Sound With ESS Sound Card

Checking for Mismatched Versions of DirectX Files
 From the Setup\Directx folder located on the DreamWorks compact disc, double-click the following file:

Dxsetup.exe

 Click Restore Windows 95 Drivers. Make sure you are using the most recent version of your sound driver. If necessary, remove and redetect the sound card.

NOTE: For more information about how to redetect your sound card, see the more information section of this article. Run the Dxsetup.exe file again to reinstall DirectX.



MORE INFORMATION
On some computers, some programs cannot run with two DMA channels enabled for the SoundBlaster sound card. If this occurs, you may need to completely remove the sound drivers and redetect them using the Add New Hardware wizard in Windows.

Detecting the hardware again, and reinstalling the original SoundBlaster drivers from your Windows disks sometimes allows you to run The Neverhood using a single DMA channel. This eliminates the need to switch between one and two DMA channels.

NOTE: For additional information about performing these or other tasks in Windows, please see your Windows printed documentation or online Help.

Additional query words: 1.00 kbdw dreamworks dream works never hood dwi kbimu

Keywords: kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbfaq kbprb kbsound KB158122

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