The Control Panel includes control for sound and any multimedia devices connected to your computer. Computer sounds include those used to indicate Windows actions and events, as well as input and output from multimedia devices such as speakers, a microphone, CD/DVD players, joysticks, and MIDI devices.

When do I use sound and multimedia?

Use the Control Panel to lower the volume of computer sounds, change the sounds to fit personal preferences, and configure/adjust multimedia device settings.

How do I use sound and multimedia?

Access sound and multimedia controls:

1.     Click "Settings" on the Start menu.

2.     Click "Control Panel" on the sub-menu.

3.     Double-click the "Sounds" icon or the "Multimedia" icon.

4.     Begin each task below by accessing sound and multimedia controls in the Control         Panel as described above.

Assign sounds to Windows actions and events:

1.     Double-click the "Sounds" icon in the Control Panel.

2.     Click an event in the "Events" box. A speaker icon by the event indicates a sound is         associated with it.

3.     Click the black triangle in the "Name" field of the Sound section of the window.

4.     Use the scroll bar and click on a sound file. The WAV extension indicates the file is a         "wave" file, a file type containing sound information.

5.     Click "(None)" to turn off the sound for the selected event

6.     Click the black triangle by the "Preview" box to hear the selected sound.

7.     Click "OK" or "Apply."

Define a sound scheme for Windows:

1.     Double-click the "Sounds" icon in the Control Panel

2.     Click the black triangle in the Schemes section of the window.

3.     Use the scroll bar and click on a sound scheme. Each sound scheme sets the sounds         for actions and events to fit a theme.

4.     You can also assign sounds manually (see above), and save your own scheme by         clicking the "Save As…" button.

5.     Click "OK" or "Apply."

Show volume control on the taskbar:

1.     Double-click the "Multimedia" icon in the Control Panel.

2.     Click the "Audio" tab at the top of the Multimedia Properties window.

3.     Click the checkbox by "Show volume control on the taskbar" at the bottom of the         window so a check mark is in the box.

4.     Click "OK" or "Apply."

Adjust the volume of computer sounds:

1.     Show the volume control on the taskbar. (See above.)

2.     Double-click the volume control on the taskbar. It is the speaker icon by the system         clock in the lower right corner of the screen.

3.     Click and hold the slider button for play control volume.

4.     While holding the mouse button, slide the button back and forth to adjust the volume.

Play an audio CD with Microsoft CD Player:

1.     (Windows 98) Click "Programs" on the Start menu, followed by "Accessories," and         "Entertainment" on the sub-menus that appear.

2.     (Windows 95) Click "Programs" on the Start menu, followed by "Accessories," and         "Multimedia" on the sub-menus that appear.

3.     Click "CD Player" on the sub-menu.

4.     Use the controls in the window like you would use a physical CD player (play, pause,         stop, skip).

5.     Click the black triangle on the right side of the "Track" field

6.     Use the scroll bar and click a song number to play

Configure a multimedia device:

1.     Double-click the "Multimedia" icon in the Control Panel

2.     Click the "Devices" tab at the top of the Multimedia Properties window.

3.     If nothing is displayed below "Multimedia Drivers," double-click that icon.

4.     Click the "+" symbol by "Audio Devices."

5.     Click a device name, and then click the "Properties" button. (Or double-click the         device name for the same effect.)

6.     Review or modify settings for the device in the Device Properties window that
        appears

7.     Click "OK" to accept the changes or "Cancel" to keep the previous settings.