After not using Noteworthy Composer for a while when I went to use it I could not hear any sound. The Help files didn't help me either. So after a lot of frustration I stumbled on the solution. IMPORTANT: Make sure SW Synth is enabled under Windows Volume Controls, and turn that volume up! (Volume Control, Options, Properties, check SW Synth). Somehow that choice had been un-checked in my controls. Once checked - and the volume raised - I could hear fine.
G'day vtron,
yeah, this is not uncommon - it's caused by Windows Media Player muting the MIDI synth. I'm yet to find a consistent set of circumstances that causes this. I avoid it by NEVER using WMP to play MIDIs - I use vanBasco's karaoke player instead, much better to use too.
As I recall, Rick G first pointed out the cause for this. On Windows XP, pausing the Windows Media Player while it is playing a MIDI file causes the system's synth volume mixer to be set to 0.