Strange Volume Mixer Appearance

My volume mixer looks like this??
(see attached file)
Please what can i do?

I'm familiar with this issue. I've seen it myself, but it didn't bother me enough to get me to try and fix it. Do you have an OEM version of Windows (from HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc.)? I think the bloatware might cause it (I have since reinstalled Vista with a clean version, and don't remember seeing it since).

Another something to try is to end the explorer.exe process from task manager and start it over (File -> New Task (Run...) -> type explorer and press enter).

Hi Charlie,

Does it always appear like that, or is it only when you have iTunes running?

I had this issue and never had iTunes installed on my system. Also, if you look close, the Windows Sounds also looks weird. I'm guessing it's not related to the contents of the applet, rather the applet itself (or some other software that tampered with it).

It does look weird ..: Mine looks like this ...:




I'd would try to scan for any malware/spyware ...

Try to reinstall the sound driver ...

have reinstalled my audio driver, run a full scan with McAfee and tried ending th e explorer task and restarting.

I didn't have the option to uninstall my driver so i just use the disk to install it again.

dont know if these images are any use.

the driver won't be in uninstall or change programs.
go to device manager and look for sound and audio devices. double click on the device and click on the drivers tab, and then at the bottom of the window, uninstall driver.
then put in the driver cd and install the drivers for the device.

Lil' Domii

tired that but had no effect?window still looks like this. but is different every time i open the mixer? but still all wierd

OK...I see you have HD audio driver ....

Try to uninstall that driver out ....you should see this...:




Use this....: http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstaller/3000-2096_4-10687648.html

I know I'm asking this again, but I'm interested to know if you're using an OEM version of Windows. I have a hunch that's the issue.

I have uninstaller the hd driver but the mixer window still looks all messed up, i used lil domii's method and now have a sound prefs window like the one tek101 posted.

i have uninstalled the hd driver using Lil' Domiis method. But the problem still lives on!:sa:

just noticed i posted the same thing twice, for some reason the first one looked like it hadnt appeared, sorry folks

i am currently using the os dell provided when i got my computer.

I suspect the software preinstalled with your laptop is responsible for this issue. If I'm correct, it's not a simple solution unfortunately. One thing you can try is to uninstall the Dell software, though it's considered far easier to reinstall Vista clean. I normally wouldn't suggest reinstalling an OS for such a small problem, especially because I can't be sure that it is the issue for sure. I personally reinstalled Vista clean to get rid of the bloatware, but it's a matter of how much time you want to spend tweaking your computer.

If you ever do reinstall Vista, I suggest a clean install, and hopefully it should clear up this issue as well. This guide is the best I've seen. Let me know if there's any way I can help you out.

thanks but i don't think that i will reinstall just for that small problem.

I have preordered 7 and hopefully when i install that i will have a normal volume mixer.

Thank you all who contributed.

by the way a dell inspriron 546 is a desktop pc.