Alright, i'm running windows me. I was having some problems playing DVDs so reinstalled direct-x. The computer then took an age to restart and when i finally got it running again my sound card seemed to have packed up. i checked in device manager and under 'Creative AudioPCI (ES1371,ES1373) (WDM) I get this under Device status:

The NTKERN.VXD, MMDEVLDR.VXD device dloader(s) for this device could not load the device driver. (COde 2.) TO fix this, click Update Driver to update the device driver.

Well, I did that and there was no profit in it. SO i clicker 'remove' in device manager and restarted so it had to redetect the device but there was no luck with that either. I tried to download the driver again and reinstall it, still nothing. The whole episode has left me irritated and upset.

Are you using onboard audio? If so what is the make and model number of your motherboard?

Are you using an add-in soundcard? If so, what is the make and model number of your soundcard?

I'm afraid I'm not completely certain what onboard audio is, or the nature of my soundcard or motherboard, what's the quickest way to find that out?

i think i've established that the ntkern.vxd fils is the main thing not working here. the usb poert seems also to be having the same problem. how do i find out the make and model of my soundcard and motherboard?

i've searched my computer for the ntkern and the mmdevldr. the latter is there but the former is nowhere to be found.

heh heh.....

Slow down a tad, there, RagsRutherford!

If your PC has onboard sound, the speakers will be plugged into the group of connectors that are all together at rear of your PC, near your keyboard and mouse connectors. If it's an add-in card, it'll be a bit further away, in one of the 'slots' nearby.

What is the make and model number of your computer? That might help for starters.

ah, it's in one of the slots, then. i'm running a gateway. it says '500' on the front but i'm not sure of the make, i inherited this computer about four years ago and never bothered to check all of that stuff, regrettably.

Hi again Rags.

I'm not certain, but I think the driver you need to install for that Gateway/Creative soundcard is File '7510802.exe' from this dowload page:

http://support.gateway.com/support/d...creative&st=kw

If that doesn't work, try the File '7510837.exe' as well, after you've installed the first file, as it is a 'Patch'.

If none of that works, let me know please.

Creative cards need a different driver to the included Windows ones or the Creative 'reference driver' for Gateway systems, that much I AM certain of!

i've tried this but i'm beggining to think it's not the driver but whatever 'pci' is - there's also a problem with the USB and the ntkern.vxd file.

PCI is simply the slot that the soundcard is plugged into - it's not a 'thing' installed on your system.

It sounds to me very much like you have a rather corrupted Windows install there. Have you got the installation CDs that were originally included with the system, or did you install Windows Me from your own copy?