After the Rest Break runs (I don't know if this is also true for the Mini Break also), the sound volume for the Wave category of sound gets turned way down.  I have to open the volume control to reset it every time.  The volume control software is SigmaTel Audio.  It is incredibly annoying as I listen to my messages and voice mail on the computer.  I have tried and tried to reset the preferences.

thank you.
Melinda Harper

I have reviewed the SoundPlayer code in Workrave 1.8.5 and I don't see anything that could cause the problem you describe. Do you ever have the problem when Workrave is not running? I googled SigmaTel Audio and it looks some versions of the driver software have loudness control. Could that be the problem?

I have the same problem. It seems that the volume that is selected in the Workrave Preferences page is unilaterally applied as "the" volume for playing Wave files in the Windows Volume Control Panel.
 
To reproduce:  

- Set the volume in Workrave Preferences to some low value, like 5. Close the Preferences. 

- Using the taskbar, force a Rest Break. Wait until the exercise plays a sound. Skip the remainder of the Rest Break.

- Bring up the volume control panel (from the taskbar), or by ControlPanel>Sound>[Audio] tab>Sound playback>Volume. 

- Observe the slider volume setting in the "Wave" column (2nd from left, for me)

- Close the volume-related windows.

- Open Workrave Preferences, set sound volume to much higher number, like 60.

- Force another Rest Break. Wait for a sound to play during exercises.

- Re-open the Volume control panel, observe the "Wave" setting. 
 
 
The problem seems to be that Workrave is setting the SYSTEM volume (at least for wave playback) instead of regulating its own volume. Thus, when WR plays sounds, it interferes with the settings for e.g., iTunes, etc., because the system setting acts as a filter on them, too.

More information seems to be under "Audio Mixer Reference" on msdn.

As a potential work-around, there is a second "sounds theme" that can be selected in the Sounds tab of Workrave Preferences. Using these sounds, called "Subtle", may permit you to leave the Workrave volume set higher, which would eliminate or mitigate the "workrave sets my volume too low" problem.

As part of trying to solve this, I uninstalled WorkRave and then downloaded the newest version.  The volume situation seemed to get fixed, but now it is crashing shortly after the exercises start for a rest break.  Melinda Harper

Melinda, there is a known issue in 1.9.0 where Workrave will crash if the sound profile is set to use the PC speaker. Please check your settings.

I recently tried to reproduce the volume issue using 1.9.0 on both XP and Vista. I do not have the problem that either of you describe. I don't doubt there's a problem, but it's almost imperative that we be able to reproduce it. I will review the sound profile code in 1.9.0 in the next few days. What OS are you using Austin?

I'm using a Dell Latitude D-820 laptop with Microsoft Windows XP, Professional, Version 2002, Service Pack 3. Like Melinda my sound playback device is "Sigma Tel Audio".

I have WR configured to play through the sound card.

I reimplemented the windows sound driver (no uses directsound). Should be fixed.