when i try to play music in winamp, i get a "MMSYSTEM002 A device ID has been used that is out of range for your system." error. i chagned the output device to directsound, and i get a different error: "could not create DirectSound object" i checked Sounds and Multimedia Properties to find that i have no playback devices listed, and my sound card drivers are listed as "working but inactive due to an unknown reason." i've gone to microsoft's website and downloaded all related software updates, i've tried different drivers, i've removed the device from the device list then let it reinstall it, all failed... opening the case revealed that my sound card is literally built into the motherboard. (stupid compaq) my sound card is the preinstalled one (but only because i have no authority over my comp, i'm 15). it's an ESS Allegro 1988 in a compaq presario 5000T. and yes, my speakers are working correctly.
the day i discovered this problem, my comp booted into 16 colors, 640x480, without a mouse (which i recovered using the keyboard). i successfully got back to 1024x768 with a mouse and 16 bit color on my own and my sound still isn't working. explorer crashes a lot without affecting performance: always once when booting up, and often when i try to go to a website by typing in the address. i've tried searching my errors in google and looking through message boards for solutions, but all (most of the above) have failed.
i'm really itching to listen to my huge mp3 collection, and would greatly appreciate any assistance.

Hi Brian.

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/wwwboard/messages/59244.html

OR

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/news/9903_101/wwwboard/messages/532.html

OR

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Win98/Q_11553279.html

OR - about a third of the way down the page.

http://www.webcom.com/duane/compqst.html

OR - about a third of the way down the page.

http://web.singnet.com.sg/~lau0cy/faq.htm

Take care,

Linda