OK there is some consistency!
When I (re)start the laptop the samplerate is set to the one I used before I shut down.
This was 88 and I could go to the advanced settings and push the testbutton-> NO SOUND.
Then I changed the samplerate in the Terrateccontrolpanel (In windows not possible) to 96
and then there was no advanced settings but in the rightmouse-menu I could test and get a sound!
The same for 44. Then back to 88, in the advanced settings it was now possible to get a sound.
So only for 88 I get the advanced settings and can set exclusive mode on, but this is not working (24bit?).
When I change in TT-control to 44 and restart the laptop I get the advanced settingstab only for 44.
Now I have to change again before I get a testsound.
Well I hope this will give you the information to make your program perfect!
As I understand you correctly the exclusive mode will work if you output 24 bits?
As my suggestion before maybe the possibility for samplerate/bitdepth could first be implemented only for the output. I hope it is easy for you to add some bits and multiply the samplerate?
Some screenshots: