549: Sibelius 5 hangs on the splash screen while 'Initializing playback devices'

NOTE: This article only applies to Sibelius 5

If Sibelius does not load completely, and hangs on the splash screen while loading with the message Initializing playback devices remaining at the bottom of the splash screen (what does this look like?), you may need to replace a file inside your Sibelius 5 program folder, as follows:

• Quit the hanging Sibelius application using Task Manager (type Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then select Sibelius.exe in the list of running processes and click End Process)
• Using Windows Explorer or My Computer, go to C:\Program Files\Sibelius Software\Sibelius 5
• You should be able to see a file called portaudio_x86.dll in the folder: delete this file
• If you don't see that file, type Alt+Shift+T, choose Tools > Folder Options and go to the View tab. Make sure that Show hidden files and folders is switched on, and click OK
Now you should be able to see and delete the portaudio_x86.dll file. If you're having difficulties viewing the hidden files and folders, click here to get more information
• Now download this archive: portaudio_x86.zip
• Extract the contents of this archive, a replacement portaudio_x86.dll, into your Sibelius 5 folder. If you're having problems extracting the archive, click here to get more information
• Now run Sibelius 5 again

If you still have problems running Sibelius after applying this fix, please contact technical help.Note: It is sometimes necessary to restart the computer to get this change to take effect