Just scanning thru this so my answer may be irrelevant but anyway - check (breakpoint) if the sound realy starts to play (if it returns anything else than 0). I've had similar problem and found out that you have to start sounds with initial volume at least (i think) 4. Any lower value simply does not make it start playing. There should be JCL's reaction to my similiar question somewhere on this forum so you can look it up...

Hope this helps.

T.