forlorn

So my dads computer works fine for a couple of months and suddenly decides to start uninstalling the windows sound device (the error reads that the mixer device is missing). This happens a couple of minutes after bootup, that means for a couple of minutes right at startup the sound works. And if you turn on music or any other constant sound it doesnt go away, presumably because the sound driver files are in use..? Now its driving me mad, because I have no idea what it is, Ive scanned the computer for viruses and spyware finding nothing. The sound card is the standard ac97 thats on the mobo. I've tried reinstalling the drivers that came with the MB and the latest ac97 drivers with no success. Its windows xp sp2 all updates applied. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Did anyone affected in this thread arrive at a solution? I have some applications that need to write to log files to work properly and they cant because every single file is read only. I have sp2 as well, I have seen at least 4 separate threads about this problem two of them have more ppl than the creators of the threads saying they have the same issue. Someone must know something... at least I hope so this is unbearable. :'(

I have a similar problem. Literally ALL my folders and files are read only (on both harddrives) and I cant change them. This severely disrupts some applications functionality. As with the original poster if it is unchecked, next time I look at properties its checked itself back. Im running WinXP Pro SP2. Any help greatly appreciated, after I've searched for this issue I see Im not alone with it but I havent been able to find a solution.