pro tools won't start-up

[vdlint]

Hi there...I have been working in pro tools M powered 7.1 for 2 years now and suddenly got the following problem when starting Pro Tools:
"The current playback engine does not support a sample rate of 48 kHz."
On the M-audio site I found the following advice:
This will happen when Windows is using the MAudio device as the 'default' sound device.
Go to Start > Control Panel and choose "Sounds and Audio Devices"
Verify that the M-Audio device is not selected as the default device, or the device will be limited to 44.1 KHz.....But I only ever have the MAudio device as sound device...I built my PC only for use in combination with Pro Tools.....now what? Can anyone please help me start up Pro Tools again?
Thanks
Paul

[soundmaster]

hi Paul,

there is something different in PT 7.3+ with the syncsetting. At 7.1 I was able to switch samplerate with current session open. This is no longer possible. When my soundcard is set to 44.1 and I try to open a 48k session, that message will come up. So I have to quit, change soundcard to 48k and launch again.
When your M-Audiodevice is set to "default" Windows-device it runs on 44.1 I think and wont open any other samplerate. I recomend selecting your internal soundcard as "deault " for Windows.

good luck
Jens

[vdlint]

thanks Jens,
unfortunately I can't switch to an internal sound card. The only soundcard I have is the M-audio interface...This is exactlty the problem.
regards
paul

...Have in the mean time solved the problem by setting up a new project...

Another question, what is the best (affordable) plug-in for good vocals?