Failed to play test tone error in Vista

[WJA96]

Has anyone come across the following symptoms in Vista?

1. No sound
2. All devices show "Working Properly" in device manager
3. After pressing the test button, the error message "Failed to play test tone" is shown.

I've tried the onboard Realtek HDA, a Soundblaster XFi Gamer and a Soundblaster Audigy 2SE and I have the latest drivers installed.

It's Vista Business 32-bit with an ASUS P5N-E SLi.

All help gratefully accepted.

 

[WJA96]

Yes, there is a little dialog box that pops up and says what have you plugged in - so it knows it does have speakers.

 

[WJA96]

I gave up and just re-installed windows. All fine now. (Thankfully).

Vista is carp, isn't it?