Lose sound in SL on system lock

[Jason Burroughs]

Every time I lock my Vista Premium PC via the system lock ("Locik this computer" from the Start menu), I lose my sound in SL and it never comes back until I log out and log back in.  This is a recent problem - I've been in SL for over 3 years and don't recall this ever happening before. Toggling sound off and on does nothing.  I'm not aware of any changes I've made to the PC to cause this.  I've tried various options with respect to muting the viewer while minimized, muting sound before locking, etc., and none of these solve the basic problem.  This happens with Phoenix and with the SL viewers, so is universal.  This is the most annoying problem - if I'm at a live show in SL and have to pee, I either can't lock my system or I have to log off of SL first, lock, then log back in when I'm back.  Truly miserable.

[Draconic Ahn]

You have tried an older  version of the viewer too? Maybe there is a (windows)update installed? What you could try is system restore to a date it still worked.

[Void Singer]

try making sure that sound is set to mute when minimized. this is probably a problem of SL trying to access the sound functions, and Vista's overbearing security settings denying it access when it tries to play while locked, and not re-allowing it when it's unlocked.

[Jason Burroughs]

Thanks for the responses.  I was able to fix the issue. I had a number of non-essential Windows updates that were in the list in Windows Update.  I updated MS Security Essentials, 2 Security Updates for MS Visual C++ and nVidia Display. Also, I used Vista to check for updated drivers for one of my sound cards (Realtek HD Audio) and it said my driver was up-to-date.  But I found a more recent Realtek driver for HD Audio on the Realtek site and updated with that.  I rebooted after both installs (the Windows updates were in one install) and tested my audio/lock issue, and audio stayed on when the PC was locked, which is what I wanted as Vista muting during locking was causing SL not to have any sound after unlocking the PC.  

 

[Void Singer]

A word of caution... NEVER EVER use the MS driver updates for hardware (except MS hardware).... if you see an update for hardware, always check the manufacture site instead, and update from there. The MS drivers are often subpar and tend to cause more problems than solve... the ONLY time you should use them is out of desperation because your hardware is no longer supported by the original manufacturer.