Error MSG - The sound device is currently in use by another application

Creig

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,170
13
81
We have a couple of office computers (Dell Optiplex GX150s) with onboard SoundMAX that are displaying this message every time you try to use an application that uses sounds. Currently, by opening the sound properties you can see that the Wave level indicator is showing a steady 3 bars and you can hear static from the speakers.

How the heck can I determine what is currently using the audio channel?
 
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
It does this after a fresh reboot?

Check through the processes list, if you don't see anything that jumps out at you, post the list here and we'll comb over it.
 

Creig

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,170
13
81
Yep, does right from bootup.


Current Processes:

autobackup.exe
CSRSS.EXE
CTFMON.EXE
DDHELP.EXE
defwatch.exe
DKService.exe
dpmw32.exe
EXPLORER.EXE
GRPWISE.EXE
IEXPLORE.EXE
LEXBCES.EXE
LOADWC.EXE
LSASS.EXE
mdm.exe
MSGSYS.EXE
mstask.exe
NALNTSRV.EXE
nddeagnt.exe
nwtray.exe
pidrpcs.exe
Printkey2000.ex
PSTORES.EXE
realsched.exe
ristcpsr.exe
rpcss.exe
rtvscan.exe
SERVICES.EXE
smss.exe
SPOOLSS.EXE
System
System Idle Process
systray.exe
TASKMGR.EXE
TCPSVCS.EXE
wm.exe
WRSHDNT.EXE
wuser32.exe



Nothing really stood out when I went through it. Maybe somebody else can recognize something that would hog the sound?