Dpvsetup.exe – Application Error

Bought my first Dell recently. Dimension 9150 Media etc.

The only software that I have downloaded so far are MSN Messenger, Skype and full subscription to McAfee.

Everything worked fine for first few days, then my microphone stoped working in MSN. I could be seen and in turn I could see & hear the other party, but they could not see me. When I try Skype now I get booted out as soon as I make contact with the other party. I have tried a 2nd headset or just using speaker & camera mike, all with the same result.

I decided to check the Audio devices and went to  " Sounds & Sudio devices Properties" and ran "Test Hardware", I got the following message -

Dpvsetup.exe – Application Error

The exception Privileged instruction.
(0xc0000096) occurred in the application at location 0x100014fe.

 

I have tried all the iusual stuff like uninstalling Skype, MSN, System restore, downloading most recent driver for my soundcard and moving the Hardware Acceleration slider at least one position to the right etc. I reported the problem to Dell S/W Support who promised to come back to me and never did. I can't believe that they only work Mon-Fri 9-5, how helpful is that for someone with a home pc and a job?

Any help much appreciated