help w/wav files

[Kak]

I'm having a problem w/my computer, I'm unable to hear alert sounds, such as new mail, log on, log off, recycle bin, etc., but I am able to play music, you tube, e-cards, etc.
When I went to my Media file, all of my wav files have the quicktime emblem by them.
Windows Media Player is my default player, but I can't get the wav files to open with that.
In Sounds and Audio devices - then the Sounds tab, I made a new file because Windows Default wasn't letting me hear the wav sounds either.  But nothing I do seems to help.  Any ideas?

[greg]

I'm having a problem w/my computer, I'm unable to hear alert sounds, such as new mail, log on, log off, recycle bin, etc., but I am able to play music, you tube, e-cards, etc.

System restore to a time when all was well.

start, All programs,Accessories, sytem tools, and click System Restore

and/or

sfc /scannow
( system file checker )

Are you using Windows XP OS?
----------------------------------------------


C:\>sfc /?

Microsoft(R) Windows XP Windows File Checker Version 5.1

Scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

SFC [/SCANNOW]

/SCANNOW        Scans all protected system files immediately.

C:\>sfc /scannow

[Salmon Trout]

Right click any .wav file, select "Open with...", select "Choose program from list", select Windows Media Player, check the box for "Always use this program to open files of this type", click OK.

[Kak]

This problem has been going on for about 2 months.  I tried System restore, but it didn't work.
I have XP w/updates, Firefox is my browser, AVG, CCleaner.

Can you please tell me how to run SFC.  I typed it into "Run" and a black box came up for a nano second, but it didn't do anything.

I really appreciate you trying to help me w/this problem.  If you have other suggestions, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks

[Kak]

When I tried to run sfc/scannow, I got an error message saying file not found.

[Salmon Trout]

Did you try my suggestion above?

[Kak]

yes, I have the files opening w/windows media player now, but still no alert sounds.

I am running a system file check right now.

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to reply to me.

[Salmon Trout]

You have opened the full Volume Control and check the positions of all the sliders and also that none of the 'mute' boxes are checked? You have checked in the Sounds applet in Control Panel that system sounds are enabled?

[Kak]

yes, I sure wish it was that simple.  I've tried all the obvious things.  And it's so odd, since I have sound w/my music, e-cards, youtube, etc.,  It's just my alert sounds.

[Allan]

Any errors in device manager? What happens in safe mode?

[Kak]

Allan, Thanks for replying.

I'm not 'too' experienced w/computers - how do I go to Device Manager and how do I check it.  And, No, I haven't tried safe mode.  Don't know too much about that either.  What would I look for once I started in safe mode?

Also, I've been to Tweaks.com and didn't really find any answers there either.

[Allan]

Start - Run - devmgmt.msc (press ENTER) - are there any yellow or red exclamation marks?

To boot to safe mode, reboot and as soon as the system restarts begin tapping the F8 key. You'll be taken to an advanced boot options screen. Choose Safe Mode. You want to see if the sounds work there.

[Kak]

No red or yellow exclamation marks

After I go to Safe Mode - how do I get back to normal start up??

[Allan]

reboot