Lost virtual com ports; sound card error msgs

[K4ZLE]

I had Remote Micro sort of working with HRD.  Now when I start Micro software I get the following error message: RRC Micro Exception
Could not open Mic Realtek HD Audio Input
Message: XP Mic: Realtek HD Audio Input: GetVolume Control() failed
Source RRC Micro Target Boolean open (Microbit, Audio Device)
STACK: at Microbit: Mic Control XP: open(audio device dev)
at Microbit,audio page, _init Mic Device()
No virtual com ports are generated at all

I used program manager and removed and reloaded both the comport generator software and current version of Microbit RRC Micro software.  Get same results.

There are no comports showing in the device manager.

I also switched to Micro sound card  and another USB sound card with similar results

[dj0qn]

Did you try rebooting?

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[K4ZLE]

Many, many, many times!  First thing I did.

[Jan (Microbit)]

Many, many, many times!  First thing I did.

Were the virtual COM ports visible and working before?

[K4ZLE]

yes.

[Jan (Microbit)]

Then it's not that easy to say what has gone wrong. But since there are problems with both audio and com ports it seems something has gone wrong with Windows itself. What audio devices do you see?