Hi Delli23,
· Have you installed multiple sound devices on your computer?
· Is the issue confined with a specific file?
· Have you made any changes on the computer prior to the issue?
Follow the suggestions listed below for a possible fix:
Method 1: Quit other programs that might be using your sound device, and then try to play the file again.
Method 2: Install an updated driver.
Step 1: First uninstall the audio driver from the Device Manager and Add or Remove Programs
a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
b. Click System, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
c. Under Sound, video and games controller, check the sound card that is listed.
d. Right-click the sound card, and then click Uninstall Driver.
Step 2: To see if an updated driver is available, use Windows Update or go to the sound device manufacturer's website.
Follow these steps to do the same:
a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
b. Click System, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
c. Under Sound, video and games controller, make sure that the sound card is listed.
d. Right-click the sound card and then click Update Driver to install the latest driver.
e. Visit the Web site of the sound card manufacturer to determine whether a newer version of the driver is available to download.
Method 3: If you have multiple sound devices installed on your computer, try using a different one. The selected sound device might not support Secure Audio Path (SAP).
Additional reference on:
Troubleshooting playback in Windows Media Player for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306317/
Let us know if this helps.