Multimedia

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If a multimedia application cannot play MIDI files, it is generally the result of one or more of the following problems:

The Sound Card Is Not Installed Properly

Make sure that the sound card settings do not conflict with other hardware. Use the Add New Hardware option in Control Panel to detect your hardware, and determine whether you have any hardware for which the appropriate driver is not yet installed. Verify port and IRQ settings.

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Note

If the sound card can play WAV files, the card is probably properly installed.

The Volume Is Muted or Too Low

See Correcting Problems With Playing WAV Files earlier in this chapter.

A MIDI Driver Is Not Installed

If you are using Media Player and cannot play a MIDI file, there might be no MIDI driver installed. Try installing the driver that was provided with the hardware.

The Incorrect MIDI Output Device Is Selected

If the selected MIDI device is incorrect, you hear no MIDI output. Choose only External MIDI or MIDI OUT for an add-on MIDI card, or if an external MIDI device (for example, a synthesizer) is connected to the MIDI port of a sound card. For example, if you do not have an MPU-401 compatible synthesizer plugged into the MIDI port, make sure that MPU-401 is not selected as your default MIDI device.

To select a preferred MIDI output device

  1. In Control Panel, double-click Sounds and Multimedia .

  2. Click the Audio tab.

  3. Under MIDI Music Playback , in the Preferred device box, click the instrument that you want to use for MIDI music playback.