Audacity Forum

I have downloaded the stable version of audacity and it will not run.
Installation seemed to go fine but when I try to run the program all I get is windows saying "Audacity encountered a problem and needs to close" before any sign that it has even started to run.
system information follows;

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.080814-1233)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD
System Model: MS-7519
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 1325MB used, 2614MB available
Windows Dir: C:WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIOFUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_14627519&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5567 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 2/14/2008 09:04:06, 4676096 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 31
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 31
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio Input
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5567 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 2/14/2008 09:04:06, 4676096 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:WINDOWSSYSTEM32driversGM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

I have tried the beta test version as well, and experience the same problem

Looks like there is some software on your computer that is interfering with Audacity. Have a look to see what processes are running on your computer and shot down everything that is not essential.

I would normally agree with you, but I have tried killing everything except the vital windows processes and it still will not run.
Does anyone know if audacity is incompatible with any of my hardware or audio software?

amaare wrote:Does anyone know if audacity is incompatible with any of my hardware or audio software?

I don't see any inherent compatibility issues there. Although you may find that the Realtek HD Audio output offers limited recording options, and probably not very good sound quality, it should at least work.

You could try resetting Audacity Preferences by following these instructions: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... defaults_2
Then download a fresh, latest version Audacity 1.3.7 and install that.

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately I have tried that and it didn't work either. Audacity used to work a few months ago, however, since then I have upgraded my computer, changing the motherboard, processor and RAM and updated my antivirus and security programs.
I have tried disabling all of my security software and killing it's processes, and that didn't work, so I don't think that can be the problem. I have to assume that Audacity has some problem with my new hardware.
Incidentally, when I run Audacity it gets as far as telling me that it is not associated with it's project files and allows me to change this, however, as soon as that window has closed it "experiences a problem and needs to close".

I have now tried going back through the older versions of audacity and have discovered that all of the 1.2 versions do not work, but that version 1.0.0 works fine.
Does this help anyone understand what the problem is? version 1.0.0 is ok, but I really would like to be able to use the latest version.

I'm not at all surprised that 1.2.x versions do not work. None of your hardware had been invented when 1.2.x was written. I am however surprised that 1.3.7 does not work.