MS-DOS-Based Programs Do Not Play Beeps Through PC Speaker

ID: Q199030

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you run an MS-DOS-based program that plays one or more beep sounds through your computer's PC speaker, you may not hear any sound from the PC speaker.


CAUSE

This issue can occur because Windows 98 redirects beeps from MS-DOS-based programs to your computer's sound card. If your sound card is not working properly, its volume or output level is set too low, or your default sound is set to None, you will be unable to hear any beeps.


RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method:

Sound Card Is Not Working Properly

If your sound card is not working correctly, perform the troubleshooting steps in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Troubleshooting Device Conflicts with Device Manager

Volume or Output Level Is Set Too Low

If your sound card or speaker volume or output level is set too low, increase it until you can hear the appropriate sounds from your MS-DOS-based program.

Your Default Sound Is Set to None

Configure your default sound to use the Ding.wav file:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Sounds.


  2. Under Events, click Default sound, click ding.wav in the Name box, and then click OK.




To work around this issue, disable the "Fast ROM emulation" feature of your MS-DOS-based program:

  1. Right-click the appropriate MS-DOS-based program file or the shortcut to the MS-DOS-based program, and then click Properties.


  2. Click the Screen tab, click to clear the Fast ROM emulation check box, and then click OK.



MORE INFORMATION

This procedure configures Windows 98 to use the 16-bit video ROM BIOS for handling system console access, and to use the 16-bit video ROM BIOS to play the beep sound through your PC speaker. An MS-DOS-based program can make a beep sound by sending a beep character through the system console, which is normally handled by the video ROM BIOS, a 16-bit component. By default, Windows 98 intercepts access to the system console and handles the requests in its 32-bit video driver. This handling of calls intended for the video ROM BIOS is known as "ROM emulation". When a beep sound is sent to the system console, Windows 98 uses ROM emulation to convert it into the beep sound set listed in the Sound tool in Control Panel.

Additional query words: 


Keywords          : kbsound kbui win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: January 30, 1999