Can't change default audio device

1. I installed the slipstreamed version of Vista SP1 Ultimate 32bit (clean install) on my computer.

2. Attached to my computer is a Plantronics USB headset for VoIP telephony.

3. I didn't have to install additional audio drivers since sound worked directly after I had Vista installed.

4. However, I'm unable to change the default playback device (which is set to the USB headset currently) to the internal sound card.

5. When I do that in "Sound" of the control panel, the green check box changes, but when I close the window and re-open it, the default device is again the USB headset. I did notice though that after such procedure the Windows Sounds are played back on the correct speakers (and not on the headset). So something changes apparently...

6. I also tried changing it through WMP as was suggested here, but that didn't help in any way at all. Speaking of which: Where exactly did you change those settings (I did under Tools\Options\Devices\Speakers).

7. I also noticed that when I boot and log into Vista, the sound plays fine on my speakers (and not on the USB headset). However, once logged into Vista, the default sound device is (again) the USB headset.

This is really a nightmare. If I want sound on my speakers I need to disable the headset. Yet then I cannot use VoIP anymore. (And vice versa).


Any ideas which registry tweak might solve this? It looks to me like something in Vista is interfering with/overriding whichever device is selected as the default playback device. What do you think could cause and solve this?

Thanks everyone!

You're kinda stuck here, I think. I had a similar problem at one point (with XP, no less) and it's just a fact of USB headsets.

USB sound devices act like little cards that take over as the default. If you change devices, they "uninstall" themselves, then reinstall because they are plug and play. They also work as an all or nothing deal.

While it's a little different, think of it as installing a PCI Audigy and a PCI XtremeGamer. Only one of them is going to run at a time, unless you do something pretty special. So, the solution really seems to be to get a standard microphone that just runs off of the normal card.

It's not Vista so much as the USB device that is taking over. The reason it works until you start the system is the order drivers are loaded. Sorry for the bad news. Someone on here might know something I don't, but I spent about two months trying before I gave up and spent a little money on standard headphone and mic.

Hello FightingScallion.

I think you must have been facing a different problem...

I have a dual boot system. Under XP it all works fine. I can change the default playback device from the headset to the internal sound card and that change is saved indefinitely (at least until I unplug the headset and plug it in again). So no problems there.

Before I fresh-installed Vista I had Vista RTM (without SP1) installed. Even then everything was working fine and I was able to change the default device. Even after I installed SP1 everything was still okay.

The whole mess began when I fresh-installed Vista from a DVD with SP1 INTEGRATED. Ever since, the default sound device won't change anymore.