Static or Computer Hangs Playing MIDI Files in Windows 98
Article ID: 188511
Article Last Modified on 1/23/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q188511
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:
SYMPTOMS
When you try to play a Musical Instrument Device Interface (MIDI) file on
your Windows 98-based computer, you may hear static, and your computer may
stop responding (hang).
CAUSE
This issue can occur if your computer has a slower Central Processing Unit
(CPU), and has a sound card that uses a Windows Driver Model (WDM) driver.
When Windows 98 installs WDM sound card drivers, it also installs the
Microsoft GS Synthesizer tool. This tool is very CPU intensive, and may
not perform well if you have a slower CPU.
RESOLUTION
To work around this issue, follow these steps:
- Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then
double-click Multimedia.
- Click the Midi tab.
- Under Single Instrument, click a device other than the Microsoft GS
Synthesizer, and then click OK.
MORE INFORMATION
The Microsoft GS Wavetable Synthesizer tool is new in Windows 98 and
is available only if you are using WDM drivers.
Additional query words: HWSNDTS 98 HWSYSCPU
Keywords: kbhardware kbprb kbsound KB188511