PulseAudio Volume Control problem(s)

[UUUnicorn]

Please, I hope that I'm not posting this in the wrong location.

Some additional information here: I'm using Linux Mint 13 Xfce "Maya" on an Asus Eee PC 1201N-PU17-SL. This netbook has NVIDIA Ion graphics card.
I have activated the Additional Driver "NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (version-current) [Recommended]".

After the most recent update as of this morning, I have NO sound. I tried going into PulseAudio Volume Control (which is version 0.99.2-1build1 in Linux Mint 13 Xfce), and I can no longer access any of the controls. I get this:

"Establishing connection to PulseAudio. Please wait..."

The latest version of PulseAudio Volume Control is 2.0, but I hesitate trying to update it myself. Could someone who works with the PPAs and/or repository/-ies please be informed? I would very, VERY much appreciate this; thank you.

Sincerely,

UUUnicorn

[viking777]

The first thing anyone would need to know is what it was you upgraded this morning. The answer is in /var/log/apt/history.log probably the last entry unless you upgraded more than once today. Post that information here and lets see if anything in there has anything to do with sound.

[tdockery97]

The same thing happened to me. Apparently it is a problem with a Mint-specific codec package. I solved it by installing ubuntu-restricted-extras from Synaptic. It uninstalled the Mint codecs and installed the codecs that are installed when you do an Ubuntu installation. Sound works again.

[UUUnicorn]

I have just fixed it by installing gnome-alsamixer, then opening the software and unmuting ev'rything.

I wonder if I should uninstall PulseAudio Volume Control--basically, this very old, buggy version seems detrimental and useless!

EDIT: When I start watching a Youtube video, two seconds after I've started the video and it starts loading, it freezes and stays that way for around 20 seconds or so.
Sometimes, a small windows pops up with "Kill pages" and "Wait" buttons from which to choose.

[Oscar799]

Moved here by moderator