Whenever I open a file all I get is a flat line.

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Radio Dave
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Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2009 10:19 pm
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Whenever I open a file all I get is a flat line.

Post by Radio Dave » Mon Nov 09, 2015 8:56 pm

All I get is a flat line when I try to open an audio file. This started happening when I updated from 2.0.6 to 2.1.1. on a Sony Vaio Windows 7 pc. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling both 2.0.6 and 2.1.1. multiple times with no success. I also have tried system restore and that did not work either. Help, please.
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DVDdoug
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Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:30 pm
Operating System: Windows 10

Re: Whenever I open a file all I get is a flat line.

Post by DVDdoug » Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:11 pm

What kind of file? No error messages?

If it's anything other than a WAV or MP3, you might need to install the FFMPEG import/export library.
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kozikowski
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Re: Whenever I open a file all I get is a flat line.

Post by kozikowski » Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:29 pm

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling both 2.0.6 and 2.1.1. multiple times with no success.
Reinstalling Audacity doesn't reset Audacity. When you install Audacity 2.1.1, it will ask you if you want to reset preferences and settings (or words to that effect). Say yes.

This is a 39 second stereo test sound file from my web site. "This is my voice on the left."
http://www.kozco.com/tech/LRMonoPhase4.wav

Does it open up OK? Close Audacity and reopen. Will the file open a second time?

Koz
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Radio Dave
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Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2009 10:19 pm
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Re: Whenever I open a file all I get is a flat line.

Post by Radio Dave » Mon Nov 09, 2015 10:31 pm

You totally rock. Your post was integral to finding my solution with respect to clicking the "change preferences" button. I did that after I went into my C drive, scanned for all files with "Audacity" in the title (and deleted same), except LAME and LAME FFMEG.

Then I reinstalled 2.0.6 which I had saved in my Downloads folder. It works great now. I will not risk trying to upgrade to 2.1.1 again, as 2.0.6. provides for all my needs.

This forum is terrific.

Thank you.
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Gale Andrews
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Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:02 am
Operating System: Windows 10

Re: Whenever I open a file all I get is a flat line.

Post by Gale Andrews » Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:16 am

Radio Dave wrote:I will not risk trying to upgrade to 2.1.1 again, as 2.0.6. provides for all my needs.
There should be no risk. What happened is that you had Audacity's "Directories" Preferences for the location of the Audacity temporary folder set to some location you could not write to, or which had no disk space.

If Directories Preferences is now correct, then if you install 2.1.1 without enabling "Reset Preferences" the current location set in Directories Preferences should stay as it is.


Gale
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