audacity wont' load

windows 7 ultimate, i don’t know exact three-section from Help>About because it won’t load up in the first place. it’s from .exe installer v2.1.0

theres box saying register effects, i get 3 options. 1) a plugin from Pianoteq, a virtual piano programme. 2)3) two dlls hardlimit /sc4 from the audacity folder itself.

it does not matter whether i register all or register none or just register the 2 audacity ones. audacity will not load.

If you didn’t download Audacity from the Audacity site, please delete your copy and download the “Audacity 2.1.0 installer (23.1 MB, includes help files)” from the link here: http://web.audacityteam.org/download/windows

Run the installer again and look for the option to “Reset Preferences” during the installation. Ensure that the option is set to reset preferences.
You will be asked to confirm resetting preferences on first run.

In the “register effects” screen, select none.

Does it launch now?

I have a fresh installation of Audacity 2.1.0 on a Win7Pro 64bit machine.
Audacity won’t load past the splash screen. Looking at the taskmgr I see Audacity is starting up (Not Responding). The splash screen has been sitting there for 15 minutes at least. How long should it take?
This machine is no slouch btw. It’s running an i7 processor along with 16G of RAM and a SamsungPro SSD disk drive.

Any assistance appreciated.

Was it a fresh installation? Reinstall 2.1.0, but be sure to enable the “Reset Preferences” box. Then when Register Effects pops up after starting Audacity, clear all boxes and OK.

If you don’t see Register Effects after reinstalling with Reset Preferences, the problem is probably with your connected audio devices, or your security applications which may be blocking Audacity. See Audacity Manual.


Gale

I did reinstall making sure to reset preferences. I’ve tried opening Audacity both ways, loading the effects and not.
I’ve temporarily disabled my security software (AVG Professional) and I’m still having the same problem.
The only audio devices connected to my PC are my SoundBlaster X-Fi and my Logitech speakers.

Audacity 1.2.3 used to work just fine until I tried firing it up yesterday. As it wasn’t loading either I uninstalled it including deleting all remaining folders and any mentions of it in the registry.
I then installed 2.1.0 and here I am. Still no Audacity.

Contents of audacity.cfg:

PrefsVersion=1.1.1r1
[Version]
Major=2
Minor=1
Micro=0
[Directories]
TempDir=C:\\Users\\Rich\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\audacity_temp

Contents of pluginregistry.cfg:

pluginregistryversion=1.0
[pluginregistry]
[pluginregistry/Effect]
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfQWxleCBTLiBCcm93bl9TaWxlbmNlIEZpbmRlci4uLl9EOlxQcm9ncmFtIEZpbGVzXEF1ZGFjaXR5XHBsdWctaW5zXFNpbGVuY2VNYXJrZXIubnk\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\SilenceMarker.ny
Symbol=Silence Finder...
Name=Silence Finder...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Alex S. Brown
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Analyze
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfQXVkYWNpdHlfQmVhdCBGaW5kZXIuLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xiZWF0Lm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\beat.ny
Symbol=Beat Finder...
Name=Beat Finder...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Audacity
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Analyze
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfQXVkYWNpdHlfTnlxdWlzdCBQcm9tcHQuLi5fbnlxdWlzdCBwcm9tcHQ\=]
Path=nyquist prompt
Symbol=Nyquist Prompt...
Name=Nyquist Prompt...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Audacity
Description=N/A
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=1
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfQmVuamFtaW4gU2Nod2FydHpfQ2xpcCBGaXguLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xjbGlwZml4Lm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\clipfix.ny
Symbol=Clip Fix...
Name=Clip Fix...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Benjamin Schwartz
Description=Licensing confirmed under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfRGF2aWQgUi4gU2t5X1JlZ3VsYXIgSW50ZXJ2YWwgTGFiZWxzLi4uX0Q6XFByb2dyYW0gRmlsZXNcQXVkYWNpdHlccGx1Zy1pbnNcZXF1YWxhYmVsLm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\equalabel.ny
Symbol=Regular Interval Labels...
Name=Regular Interval Labels...
Version=N/A
Vendor=David R. Sky
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Analyze
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfRGF2aWQgUi5Ta3lfUGx1Y2suLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xwbHVjay5ueQ\=\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\pluck.ny
Symbol=Pluck...
Name=Pluck...
Version=N/A
Vendor=David R.Sky
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Generate
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfRG9taW5pYyBNYXp6b25pX0NsaWNrIFRyYWNrLi4uX0Q6XFByb2dyYW0gRmlsZXNcQXVkYWNpdHlccGx1Zy1pbnNcY2xpY2t0cmFjay5ueQ\=\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\clicktrack.ny
Symbol=Click Track...
Name=Click Track...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Dominic Mazzoni
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Generate
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfRG9taW5pYyBNYXp6b25pX0hpZ2ggUGFzcyBGaWx0ZXIuLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xoaWdocGFzcy5ueQ\=\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\highpass.ny
Symbol=High Pass Filter...
Name=High Pass Filter...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Dominic Mazzoni
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfRG9taW5pYyBNYXp6b25pX0xvdyBQYXNzIEZpbHRlci4uLl9EOlxQcm9ncmFtIEZpbGVzXEF1ZGFjaXR5XHBsdWctaW5zXGxvd3Bhc3Mubnk\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\lowpass.ny
Symbol=Low Pass Filter...
Name=Low Pass Filter...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Dominic Mazzoni
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfRWRnYXItUkZUX1ZvY29kZXIuLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1x2b2NvZGVyLm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\vocoder.ny
Symbol=Vocoder...
Name=Vocoder...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Edgar-RFT
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfSmVyZW15IFIuIEJyb3duX1NvdW5kIEZpbmRlci4uLl9EOlxQcm9ncmFtIEZpbGVzXEF1ZGFjaXR5XHBsdWctaW5zXFNvdW5kRmluZGVyLm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\SoundFinder.ny
Symbol=Sound Finder...
Name=Sound Finder...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Jeremy R. Brown
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Analyze
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfUGF1bCBMaWNhbWVsaV9TcGVjdHJhbCBlZGl0IG11bHRpIHRvb2xfRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xTcGVjdHJhbEVkaXRNdWx0aS5ueQ\=\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\SpectralEditMulti.ny
Symbol=Spectral edit multi tool
Name=Spectral edit multi tool
Version=N/A
Vendor=Paul Licameli
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=0
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfUGF1bCBMaWNhbWVsaV9TcGVjdHJhbCBlZGl0IHBhcmFtZXRyaWMgRVEuLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xTcGVjdHJhbEVkaXRQYXJhbWV0cmljRVEubnk\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\SpectralEditParametricEQ.ny
Symbol=Spectral edit parametric EQ...
Name=Spectral edit parametric EQ...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Paul Licameli
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfUGF1bCBMaWNhbWVsaV9TcGVjdHJhbCBlZGl0IHNoZWx2ZXMuLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xTcGVjdHJhbEVkaXRTaGVsdmVzLm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\SpectralEditShelves.ny
Symbol=Spectral edit shelves...
Name=Spectral edit shelves...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Paul Licameli
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbiBhbmQgQmlsbCBXaGFycmllX05vdGNoIEZpbHRlci4uLl9EOlxQcm9ncmFtIEZpbGVzXEF1ZGFjaXR5XHBsdWctaW5zXG5vdGNoLm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\notch.ny
Symbol=Notch Filter...
Name=Notch Filter...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton and Bill Wharrie
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbl9BZGp1c3RhYmxlIEZhZGUuLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xhZGp1c3RhYmxlLWZhZGUubnk\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\adjustable-fade.ny
Symbol=Adjustable Fade...
Name=Adjustable Fade...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbl9Dcm9zc2ZhZGUgVHJhY2tzLi4uX0Q6XFByb2dyYW0gRmlsZXNcQXVkYWNpdHlccGx1Zy1pbnNcY3Jvc3NmYWRldHJhY2tzLm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\crossfadetracks.ny
Symbol=Crossfade Tracks...
Name=Crossfade Tracks...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbl9EZWxheS4uLl9EOlxQcm9ncmFtIEZpbGVzXEF1ZGFjaXR5XHBsdWctaW5zXGRlbGF5Lm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\delay.ny
Symbol=Delay...
Name=Delay...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbl9TYW1wbGUgRGF0YSBFeHBvcnQuLi5fRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xzYW1wbGUtZGF0YS1leHBvcnQubnk\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\sample-data-export.ny
Symbol=Sample Data Export...
Name=Sample Data Export...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Analyze
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbl9TdHVkaW8gRmFkZSBPdXRfRDpcUHJvZ3JhbSBGaWxlc1xBdWRhY2l0eVxwbHVnLWluc1xTdHVkaW9GYWRlT3V0Lm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\StudioFadeOut.ny
Symbol=Studio Fade Out
Name=Studio Fade Out
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=0
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbl9UcmVtb2xvLi4uX0Q6XFByb2dyYW0gRmlsZXNcQXVkYWNpdHlccGx1Zy1pbnNcdHJlbW9sby5ueQ\=\=]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\tremolo.ny
Symbol=Tremolo...
Name=Tremolo...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Effect/base64\:RWZmZWN0X055cXVpc3RfU3RldmUgRGF1bHRvbl9Wb2NhbCBSZW1vdmVyLi4uX0Q6XFByb2dyYW0gRmlsZXNcQXVkYWNpdHlccGx1Zy1pbnNcdm9jYWxyZW1vdmVyLm55]
Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\vocalremover.ny
Symbol=Vocal Remover...
Name=Vocal Remover...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steve Daulton
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Process
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
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Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\rissetdrum.ny
Symbol=Risset Drum...
Name=Risset Drum...
Version=N/A
Vendor=Steven Jones
Description=Released under terms of the GNU General Public License version 2
ProviderID=Module__The Audacity Team_Nyquist Effects_
Enabled=1
Valid=1
EffectType=Generate
EffectFamily=Nyquist
EffectDefault=0
EffectInteractive=1
EffectRealtime=0
EffectAutomatable=1
[pluginregistry/Placeholder]
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Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\hard_limiter_1413.dll
Symbol=
Name=
Version=
Vendor=
Description=
ProviderID=
Enabled=0
Valid=0
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Path=D:\\Program Files\\Audacity\\plug-ins\\sc4_1882.dll
Symbol=
Name=
Version=
Vendor=
Description=
ProviderID=
Enabled=0
Valid=0
[pluginregistry/Module]
[pluginregistry/Module/base64\:TW9kdWxlX19UaGUgQXVkYWNpdHkgVGVhbV9MQURTUEEgRWZmZWN0c18\=]
Path=
Symbol=LADSPA Effects
Name=LADSPA Effects
Version=1.0.0.0
Vendor=The Audacity Team
Description=Provides LADSPA Effects
ProviderID=
Enabled=1
Valid=1
[pluginregistry/Module/base64\:TW9kdWxlX19UaGUgQXVkYWNpdHkgVGVhbV9MVjIgRWZmZWN0c18\=]
Path=
Symbol=LV2 Effects
Name=LV2 Effects
Version=1.0.0.0
Vendor=The Audacity Team
Description=Provides LV2 Effects support to Audacity
ProviderID=
Enabled=1
Valid=1
[pluginregistry/Module/base64\:TW9kdWxlX19UaGUgQXVkYWNpdHkgVGVhbV9OeXF1aXN0IEVmZmVjdHNf]
Path=
Symbol=Nyquist Effects
Name=Nyquist Effects
Version=1.0.0.0
Vendor=The Audacity Team
Description=Provides Nyquist Effects support to Audacity
ProviderID=
Enabled=1
Valid=1
[pluginregistry/Module/base64\:TW9kdWxlX19UaGUgQXVkYWNpdHkgVGVhbV9WU1QgRWZmZWN0c18\=]
Path=
Symbol=VST Effects
Name=VST Effects
Version=2.1.0
Vendor=The Audacity Team
Description=Adds the ability to use VST effects in Audacity.
ProviderID=
Enabled=1
Valid=1
[pluginregistry/Module/base64\:TW9kdWxlX19UaGUgQXVkYWNpdHkgVGVhbV9WYW1wIEVmZmVjdHNf]
Path=
Symbol=Vamp Effects
Name=Vamp Effects
Version=1.0.0.0
Vendor=The Audacity Team
Description=Provides Vamp Effects support to Audacity
ProviderID=
Enabled=1
Valid=1

Update:
I know I stated that the only audio devices I had on my PC was my SoundBlaster X-Fi sound card and my Logitech speakers but I looked over at my desk and saw my wireless headphones laying on the desk. I unplugged the USB dongle for the headphones and fired up Audacity. It started right away. I then plugged the dongle in again and all is working fine. So, perhaps having a second ‘soundcard’ prevented the audacity.cfg file from updating which may have prevented it from completing the loading process. At any rate, it’s working now.

You should not go into the Windows registry unless you completely know what you are doing. Going in there could even be the cause of the problem, in some obscure way.

Thanks for letting us know. You also have (I presume) a built-in motherboard sound device - even a built-in device can have problems if Windows makes a bad drivers update for it.

I suppose that for some reason the USB dongle was failing or half-connected so Audacity was hanging trying to communicate with the device.

In case the problem happens again, before you quit Audacity, go to Help > Audio Device Info… top right of Audacity and select and copy the information there. You can give us that information if Audacity hangs next time you try to launch it.


Gale