Hi list: I know the general test to see if you have a multi channel soundcard is to put some music on and then try doing something else that involves sound, like use your screen reader. so when i found i wasn't getting any windows sounds, such as a chime when email came in, I took a look and got the following message. windows can't play x sound, where x sound is the sound being played, because the soundcard is in use. Why then can i play music and use jaws at the same time? surely the process is the same for playing windows sounds with jaws running? Any ideas how to fix this? thanks. Hope to hear from you soon. from Martin. Please email me at: m.wilsher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or martin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx thanks. please visit my website: www.btinternet.com/~m.wilsher