Accidentally Deleted Audio Driver

I held my breath. The screen went black. The laptop restarted.

The CD was blank. I’d used it as a coaster. accidentally deleted audio driver

The realization hit immediately. I went to play a test video, expecting the familiar Windows chime or the drone of a narrator. Instead, I was met with the distinct, hollow visual of the speaker icon sporting a tiny, accusatory red 'X'. I held my breath

The restart felt like an eternity of black screens and white text. The BIOS beeped—a lone, lonely note. Then, the Windows logo. The CD was blank

The Windows notification sound erupted from the speakers, loud and crisp and beautiful. It was the most musical thing I had ever heard. The silence was broken. The driver was home.

“Leo, please.”

The login screen appeared. I typed my password. The desktop loaded.