BioShock: No Sound?

August 26, 2007

If you're playing BioShock on Vista, you might run into the same problem I did - no sound. One thing you can try that worked for me is to run the game in Windows XP compatibility mode. You can enable compatibility mode by right-clicking on the executable, selecting Properties, clicking on the Compatibility tab in the resulting window, and checking the compatibility mode box shown below.

Note that you have to do this on the executable itself. Enabling compatibility mode via the desktop shortcut did not work for me.

As a sidenote - what's the deal with the corporate logos that can't be bypassed? By my watch, there are 23 seconds worth of logos that I can't skip each time I start the game. Maybe it's not such a big deal, but it sure was annoying when I was trying to figure out how to get sound going.


Subsequently:   Ergonomics and the Mouse




18 Comments

  1. Vlad on September 21, 2007 @ 12:28 PM

    Thanks a lot. It worked for me.

  2. Bob on September 21, 2007 @ 5:53 PM

    By my watch, there are 23 seconds worth of logos that I can't skip each time I start the game.

    Use the -nointro command in the command line for the exe and you can skip right to the menu. Reducing load time to around 5 to 10 seconds.

  3. Albert Lee on October 2, 2007 @ 8:35 PM

    @Bob

    Thanks for the tip!

  4. Nick V on October 18, 2007 @ 1:55 AM

    Thanks: this fixed me up too; I wasn't getting sound either.

    As for the -nointro command (and since this post was specifically discussing Vista) you can add it to the shortcut in your Games folder so that it appears when you right click the shortcut (or even make it the default launch target). Just right click the link and choose customize then add the following as the browse location (include the quotes, you also might have to adjust the directory structure if you installed in a different location):

    "C:\Program Files\2K Games\BioShock\Builds\Release\Bioshock.exe" -nointro

    You can add in the -dx9 command too if you prefer (or create a second link with both) then put them in the desired order on the list. The first item will be the default action and will always be called Play.

    It's not that intuitive but if you tinker you'll find the best setting for your system. Now you'll never see the intro movies again.

  5. matt byrne on October 26, 2007 @ 5:04 AM

    god. no good.

    still not working.


    the -nointro is good though. But whats the use cant play the game with no sound.

    VERY annoyin.

  6. matt byrne on October 26, 2007 @ 6:03 AM

    ok. run STEAM in xp comp. mode.

    sound working now.

    m.

  7. Insider on November 17, 2007 @ 12:23 AM

    Very nice. First game that I can play in Diretx10 mode and no sound. :o(

  8. Anonymous on March 29, 2008 @ 11:11 PM

    thanks so much man!!!! worked like a charm!

  9. wuzz on April 28, 2008 @ 7:09 AM

    wow...
    it works on me..
    thx dude..awsome

  10. Zteve on May 4, 2008 @ 8:47 AM

    Try this. Worked for me.

    Realtek & Windows Vista Troubleshooting

    In some cases you may encounter stuttering sound or no sound at all when playing Bioshock with a combination of Windows Vista and Realtek onboard sound. To ensure the best possible sound performance from your system when playing Bioshock, please follow the steps below:

    - Ensure you are running the latest Realtek drivers, these can be downloaded from Realtek directly via Realtek. Alternatively your motherboard manufacturer will also be able to provide up to date drivers.

    Note: If you are encountering any other issues with your sound or if you are in doubt as to what software you need then please contact your motherboard manufacturer prior to installing any driver software.

    - Enable Stereo mixing, to do this browse to Start > Control Panel > Sound (in classic view). Once done switch to the Recording tab which will show the currently active inputs on your system (e.g. Line in, Microphone). Right click in the clear space below these devices and select the option for Show disabled devices. This should show an additional device called Stereo mixing, right click on this device and select Enable.

  11. Ryan on May 15, 2008 @ 6:49 AM

    Check out my blog post on the same thing and how I got it working in vista with my creative sound card. http://blog.devkinetic.com/entries/no-sound-crackling-in-bioshock-fixed/

  12. bauerbomb on June 2, 2008 @ 11:15 AM

    what is a executable?
    and how do u find it for bioshock?

  13. bobberman2000 on June 3, 2008 @ 8:52 AM

    Now that is funnY! Whats an executable! And where can I find it! O dear, that brought a smile to my face.

  14. anonymous on June 6, 2008 @ 1:31 PM

    bauerbomb,
    C:\Program Files\2K Games\BioShock\Builds\Release
    it's the file of type "application"

  15. Maq on June 14, 2008 @ 10:16 AM

    for Me worked "windows 2000" comapatibility

  16. Kevin on July 25, 2008 @ 6:19 PM

    thanks that worked for me too. Does anyone know whether that loses any graphic/audio quality? I doubt it, but just want to know what others think.

  17. bill on July 27, 2008 @ 7:16 PM

    thanks

  18. Robert on August 5, 2008 @ 1:39 PM

    Thanks for the info and tips about xp compatability mode and teh no intro. They worked for me :)

    I am loving this game too by the way :)

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