Sounds and Audio Devices Properties play button is greyed out

Hi



I have a problem with the windows sounds on my PC. The sounds that won't
play are like the windows startup, email notification etc. Audio CD's play
okay. Also I can't play the windows sounds in 'Sound and Audio Device
Properties' - Sounds as the play button is greyed out.



I have checked the advanced button in the volume tab and there is nothing
muted. However I have now noticed something in the Audio and Voice tabs.



In the Audio tab there is nothing selected in the 'MIDI music playback' as
the Default device. If I try to select any of the options and apply it once
the dialog box is closed and reopened it is back to nothing selected. I have
tried checking and unchecking the 'Use only default devices' with the same
results.



In the Voice tab a similar situation is in the 'Voice playback' with nothing
selected or can be selected.



I would appreciate any help.
Thanks