For those trying the demo, and or full version of Bioshock, you may have an issue like I did where the game has no sound after the initial movie. this happens on Vista and XP, and there are fixes for both found by gamers of course.

Windows XP: Set your soundcard settings to one notch below your current settings (I am set to 24bit 44100KHz)

Vista: Run the game in Windows XP SP2 Compatibility mode.

If you need detailed instructions on how to do either, reply to this post and I will try to help.

Im using vista How do i get the sound to work? i need detailed information if thats possible thanks.

Running the game in Compatilibity mode is a simple operation:

• Right click the shortcut for the game, or navigate to the executable for the game and right click that.
• Click Properties.
• Click on the Compatability tab.
• Make sure that the checkbox for "Execute this program in compatability mode." is checked.
• Select "Windows XP (Service Pack 2)" in the list below.
• Click Ok and launch the game

No problem

1 - Right click the game icon on your desktop and select "Properties"

2 - Go to he "Compatibility" tab

3 - Select the checkbox to use compatibility mode, this will enable the greyed out field to be changed

4 - Select "Windows XP SP2" compatibility mode

5 - Save changes, exit, and enjoy Bioshock wih sound

I hope this helps, and I have attached a screenshot:

I also had some issues with the native widescreen support in Bioshock (I have a 24" widescreen 16:10 monitor).

A handy widescreen gaming community group has released a tool to correct the lousy out of the box widescreen picture. For those running Vista it doesn't work 100%, but a fix is coming.

when i right click the bioshock icon I do not get the compatability tab, what do i do?

First you have to select "Properties" on your right click, then you will see the tab and box.

I found your link to this posted in a thread on GameFAQs Bioshock message board, thankyou. You asked that feedback be left here, so here I am!

Unfortunately neither solution works for me. After the opening movie I have no sound at all, and even during the menu sequences I seem to be missing some sounds too. I have up to date drivers for both video and audio and have tried combinations of older drivers too with no effect. Using WinXP compat mode I do get some sound but it is too distorted, out of synch and too high pitched to be of ay use though the menu sounds are back to normal.

My system is not top line but should run this with no problem and as far as I'm aware it contains no problem or unusual hardware.
Athlon 64 4000+ @2.52Ghz
3Gb DDR400 RAM
ECS RD480 A939 ATI Crossfire mobo
Asus ATI Radeon X1800XT 512Mb
Realtek HD 7.1 onboard audio
Vista Ultimate x86 edition

I cannot consider purchasing the full game unless I can be certain I won't have the same problems I am having with the demo and I cannot justify (or afford) the cost involved in purchasing new hardware for just one game either.
Any further help would be very welcome indeed.

Welcome Blue, and thanks for the feedback.

Sorry it didn't work for you, but we may be able to help more given a little time. I know that I have tested the fixes on non-ultimate versions of Vista, and it appears from other Bioshock issues (Widescreen problems I am researching) that it relates to DirectX 10, but I am not convinced of that entirely yet.

In your case, you mentioned trying both fixes, what is your audio codec set to?

In vista, go to Control Panel - Sounds - Select Speakers - click on Properties - Then click the Advanced tab

What is your default codec?

Is it possible you can email me a copy of your DirectX diagnostics? webmaster (at) GameClubCentral.com

Click on Start - in the search box, type in DXDIAG

Click Save all Information and save it to a file

A buddy of mine who works for MS has suggested to me something GCC actually discovered back when DirectX 9b was released. It SEEMS this problem may revolve around DirectSound acceleration, and back in 2001, this caused a BUNCH of VOIP and sound related issues in many games.

I predict Bioshock won't be the first game with issues like this until this is in DirectX 10 until it is verified and solved.

I am researching the possible bug now, and may know something in the next few hours.

You think you got it bad? I actually bought the game and had to support a product I bought Funny part is, I bought it to review. I am fairly confident this is a Windows level issue wih DirectX, as it does happen in XP also, not jus Vista. Keep the faith, we created this site to assist mature gamers with problems like this, and I intend on sticking through this one.

I have also sent a courtesy email to Take2 about this issue, and I am on the phone with PR now.