[Python] PSA - PYGAME pygame.error: mixer not initialized - one scenario that causes it

This is more of a public service announcement than a question. I have seen lots of posts about the "pygame.error: mixer not initialized" error that is thrown by pygame.mixer. I setup up a new Mele Mini Fanless PC to run a Halloween game. I used the TINY11 ISO, which is a slimmed-down version of Windows 11. When I installed Python and Pygame and ran my game, I received the error shown above. The game worked fine on my desktop machine with the same version of Python and Pygame. What I finally discovered is that with the TINY11 version, if there is no audio output device attached (or present through HDMI) (e.g., the SOUND icon has an "X" in it), then pygame throws this generic exception. I plugged a usb headset in, restarted the game and it worked fine.

I AtroGrep'ed the pygame library and found that the "pgyame.error: mixer not initialized" is thrown in 14 different locations, all with the same exact message. So it can make debugging a challenge.

I hope this helps some of you out there who might be scratching your head on this one. Check the SOUND icon status. If it has an "X" in it, plug something in!

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