chicagofan wrote:

My speakers are working, and I have no idea where to look to see what
has changed in WMP, because I haven't used it in several months.
snipped the venting and vacuous promises

Windows 7 has separate volume level controls in its Mixer app. Maybe
you muted (zero volume, not actual mute mode) WMP's mixer volume. With
WMP first loaded, click the volume tray icon and click on Mixer. See
what volume level is selected for WMP in the Mixer. Well, might as well
check it is not muted, too.

While there is a volume slider inside of WMP, it will range between 0 to
100% of the max volume level set in the mixer. With both WMP loaded and
then the mixer, set the WMP mixer level to, say, 33%. Then slide the
volume control inside of WMP. You'll see the volume slider in Mixer
move from zero to the max level set there.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/the-ne...-mixer-control