Generic Host Process error

[Cowboy6032]

Ok, Ok, Ok...this is getting irritating... ...I have been getting the Generic Host Process error for a couple of months (at least)...can't figure out what is going on. I usually leave my thinkpad on, and only reboot when I have to, or when I think i prolly need to...lol.

I noticed a while back, that after I get this error, send the error report to MS, and it closes, I have no sound. I have a shortcut to the driver on my desktop now, so try to reinstall it, and it says that it has been enabled...reboot. So I do, and go ahead and reinstall the soundmax driver. I will get the same generic host error again, close it, and no sound...repeat process, unless I just leave it be.

What I don't understand, though...I can't watch news/videos on the internet, b/c no sound...but AIM's squeeky door still works , and the windows sounds, when starting up, shutting down, errors, etc still work. If I go to the control panel, and look at my sound/vol control, it says there is no audio device. Double click the volume icon down on the taskbar, and you get an error box w/ volume control in the title bar, but it says 'there are no active mixer devices available. To install mixer devices, go to Control Panel, click Printers and Other Hardware, and then click Add Hardware. This program will now close.'

Any ideas? I'm very close to wiping my computer clean, and starting fresh...and will soon...but would like to know why this is happening.

[ryengineer]

I suggest you backup your data and start over from the beginning. It could be anything from corrupt registry to unstable drivers to perhaps spyware/virus/trojan horse.