sound device problems

hey all, my computer seems incapable of generating any sound at my behest. i'm thinking i accidentally deleted a sound device, but don't know how to go about fixing this. i have tried multiple different programs to play anything, some of them (itunes, limewire, realmedia) result in silence. winamp says: "Bad DirectSound driver. Please install proper drivers or select another device in configuration. Error code: 88780078 "
when i even try to open up volume control it from the task manager it says:
"there are no active mixer devices available. to install mixer devices, go to control panel, click printers and other hardware, and then click add hardware. "

what's weird is that system sounds keep playing, the startup sound, the "AHH DON "T CLICK THAT" ones.
sigh. assistance would be inexpressibly wonderful

-bug

 

Ideally you will have a system restore point from before the problem started and if you roll back to that point, all will be well.

If not, several places to look.

Right-click My Computer, click Manage, open Device Manager, poke around in the section of sound devices. If you check properties on one, it will tell you if all is well or not.

Control Panel and do basically the same with the sound piece there.

Note that with either device manager or control panel and a sound device selected, when you click the properties option to troubleshoot, it will bring up the correct piece of your Help & Support Center where you might find details on possible causes and cures.

If nothing obvious shows up, my next choice would be to shut down, remove the sound card (unless it is part of the mother board), boot up without it, shut down again, put the card back in, and let the system find & install it for you.

Otherwise, check your event viewer logs for error or warning messages that contain more detail.