Launching GarageBand restores audio for some applications?

MacFixIt reader Doug reports an odd situation where absent audio in a number of third-party applications was restored by simply running the application GarageBand:

"At least on some systems (it's been reported to work on both iMac G5 and PowerMac G5, but apparently not on an unspecified G4 system) launching GarageBand may help audio outages. As I think I reported earlier, on my PowerMac G5 audio was fine for Mail, iTunes, DVD Player, system sounds, etc., but AWOL for Entourage, Real Player, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, etc. Last night I stumbled across a workaround, and coincidentally my posting on Apple's discussion board confirmed the workaround overnight as well - launch GarageBand. I was just curious to see what the "demo songs" were, and had NO expectation that this would help, but audio now works everywhere!"

"Apparently the key is that GarageBand 'resets' Core Audio."

If you have had similar success with this workaround, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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