"Stopped Working" error message.

[wilen]

I did actually twig that, steve! I had checked the settings for my new audio input device, which is an Asonic External USB 2.0 8 Channel Sound Card (!), but was still getting the aforesaid error message, hence my request. However, all`s well that ends well, as I`ve stumbled on the problem. Apparently, leaving this soundcard plugged in to the PC overrides the audio output. Unplugging it solved the problem. Anyway, your potential help is much appreciated. As a semi - senile seventy two year old, although learning fast, I`m very likely to need help again before long. Many thanks.

[steve]

Apparently, leaving this soundcard plugged in to the PC overrides the audio output. Unplugging it solved the problem.

Yes, Windows has a habit of automatically allocating both input and output to any USB audio device that is connected. If you look in the Control Panel under "Sound" it will show what the current input and output are set at (this was point number 2 "What do you have Windows set to use as the recording input?")

If it is not convenient to unplug your Asonic External USB 2.0 8 Channel Sound Card you can go to "Sound" in the Control Panel (Windows Start button > Control Panel > Sound) and change the default playback and recording settings to the ones that you want to use.

The important issue is that the Windows (Control Panel) setting and the Audacity setting (Edit menu > Preferences > Audio I/O) need to both match the input/output that you want to use. Hope that clarifies it a bit.