Hi. I know a good amount about computers but i have almost no knowledge about audio cards. I'm currently running a Dell Inspiron 1501 and have full factory default hardware and settings (its a dell, many personal problems with dell so i don't mess with them anymore). One day my volume controls "disappeared" so i rebooted my comp and they still weren't there so i uninstalled my audio driver and rebooted then reinstalled the driver with another reboot. Nothing. So i repeated this process 6 times, 3 installing from the CD provided by Dell and 3 times from dell.com. Still nothing. I then decided to do an operating system repair. Took over 24 hours and got to the Windows XP Boot screen (the one with the XP symbol right in the center durring pc boot up) and it said "Please Wait...". Sat like that for 24 hours. So I turned off my comp and rebooted it. Everything works but the audio still. After the "repair" i tried twice from the CD and twice from dell.com and still nothing.

I don't know if its my sound card or just faulty downloads?
Please help!

Please confirm all your Dell drivers are updated from visiting this thread: Dell Support

Yea I've done that many times. But my audio driver just will not install/work. I don't know if its cause my card has crashed or what.

Possibly faulty hardware, but we'll continue with software anyhow

1. Uninstall the drivers from Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel of Windows.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Run Driver Sweeper*, select the drivers that you have uninstalled and click Clean button.
4. Install the new drivers.

* For Windows Vista users, please run Driver Sweeper in administrator mode.
Right mouse click Driver Sweeper shortcut and click Run as administrator.

To download and install Driver Sweeper, please click HERE. (direct link)
Save DriverSweeper_1.5.5-setup-[Guru3D.com].exe file on the hard disk.
Run DriverSweeper_1.5.5-setup-[Guru3D.com].exe.

Hi

Go to Start button, then control panel, sounds speech and audio devices. Place volume control in task bar. Also make sure mute is not checked.

Or do a factory reset F11 and control on Dell logo screen, [COLOR="Red"]but make sure to back everything up first as this wipes clean the hard drive.[/COLOR]

I have tried that many times Kimsland and as for Electromagnetic I have also tried that to. When I open control panel i have an icon for my audio but i get an error when i try to open it. When i open my audio devices control panel it says no drivers even though I clearly have one installed?
So does this mean my sound card has cashed or that I'm still having problems wih the drivers?

Have a look at:

UPDATED 8-step Viruses/Spyware/Malware Preliminary Removal Instructions

hmm.... still nothing

Then a Repair of Windows may be best
Read=> Microsoft's Windows XP Home Repair Install step by step

Installing the drivers without errors is necessary but not sufficient for your sound to work.

What do you mean? If it does not install (i.e. install with no errors) you shouldn't expect it to work.
Or are you saying it DOES install or what?? Please explain

Then follow these steps to supply some more detailed data
Click to download then run Everest Home. From top of Everest window:

• Click File->Preferences
  • Check English
  • Then (still under Preferences) click Report and uncheck Include Debug Information
  • Close Preferences window
• Click Reports->Report Wizard. Get a Custom Report report in plain text. Check these items
  • Computer
  • Motherboard
  • Multimedia
• Attach the report file to a TechSpot post. When you create your TechSpot post, use the paper clip icon to attach the report. (If you don't see it among your icons, you need to click the TechSpot Go Advanced button towards bottom of window)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Check if Windows reports any problem devices

• Click Start->Run, enter: msinfo32. (It may take a short while till a second window opens)
• Expand Components (click + sign next to it)
• Click Problem Devices. Anything appear?
• If yes, click it, then Edit->Select All then Edit->Copy and then paste into your next post

I've already tried that. My Uncle came by today and he is a computer genious an he would never lie to me or my family and he said that my sound card has crashed Unfortunly because i have a crap dell i have to buy a new mother board (stupid warranty ran out SIX DAYS AGO!) cause the sound board is intragraded into it... any ideas?

Heres the thing:

IF your OS is actually OK, try this;

Sound Troubleshooting in XP:

General:

Usually, people lose sound because of driver corruption (malware/viruses or user error) or after doing an operating system re-install. Of course, sound chip failure is also a possibility.

The following suggestions may help identify the problem area to aid in getting it back. Users should use a program like Everest or Aida32 or Belarc or even using the Windows System Information data.

The key thing is to clearly identify:

Make and model of computer (if a manufactured model)

Make and model of motherboard and/or chipsets installed

Add-on devices (has a sound card been added or is the onboard sound used or is there only an add-on card)

Sound devices/drivers/codecs listed in Device Manager and Add/Remove programs


Checks:

Check the motherboard bios to ensure sound is enabled.

Check Start, All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, Volume Control to ensure no 'mute' box is ticked and volume sliders are at maximum.

Check Start, Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager for any yellow alert markings.

Check Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services for the Windows Audio entry and ensure it isa set to automatic and is started.

Check Start, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Speaker Volume to ensure speakers volume is maximum and then check Advanced to ensure speaker setup is right.

Check Start, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Audio - make sure a default device is entered for Sound Playback and for Midi Music Playback.

Check Start, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Hardware - click on the cd/dvd and make sure it is enabled then look at properties - properties to make sure the cd/dvd isn't muted and the sound volume is at maximum.

Check Start, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Hardware - there should be an Audio Codecs entry and an entry for the Audio Controller.

The audio codecs can be further explored by clicking properties - properties. A number of codecs may be displayed. It may be useful to select the Microsoft codecs one at a time and click properties and re-number them 1-5 such that they are the default codes. Make a note of the original sequence of priority so you can return to the original later if you want to.

The audio controller can be further explored by clicking properties. Make sure the device is enabled.

If you have done and recorded ALL the above, prior to seeking help, it then becomes easier to provide information that can be used to fix your problem.

Tried what??!! I was asking in order to get much more specific and detailed data about your system and its Windows devices

I have absolutely no doubt your uncle wouldn't lie. But there are so many issues and nuances about Windows device and device driver installs can be good to have another pair of eyes look at device installs and methods. And based on your descriptions previously am still not convinced you don't just have device driver and/or resource conflicts or such problems which can be found via Device Manager.

If that's still your only question... i think the 1501 is a laptop if i recall? i don't know costs off hand but assess the cost of a new motherboard vs. a new laptop. BUT ALSO consider there are EXTERNAL sound cards that usually attach via USB (so you needn't change the motherboard let alone try to open your laptop and change it yourself - if that/s what you're thinking.

It sure is: http://support.dell.com/support/down...n&catid=&impid

Sometimes these strange issues can be caused by Virus or Malware
Have you completed a full Antivirus or Malware scan (reference post: #7 above)

I'm thinking conflict still in Device Manager too
Or possible an incorrect driver loaded, which is forcing Audio to fault

Maybe have another read through this thread, it's all been covered quite comprehensively, I feel

Attached is an Everest error report and also pasted is a Windows Error report

Name SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
Manufacturer SigmaTel
Status Error
PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801F5&REV_1022\4&35873B3A&1&010 1
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\sthda.sys (5.10.5143.0 nd491 cp1, 1.12 MB (1,171,464 bytes), 12/4/2008 11:05 PM)

Attached Files

Report.txt (33.4 KB, 5 views)

Ah-HA!! As I suspected!

I explain next (under PROBLEM EXPLANATION) if you’re curious to know (and for the benefit of anyone else reading this thread who may have found it because of similar symptoms.). And, of course, we still need to prove we can solve the problem! For that, look under NEXT THINGS TO DO below)

PROBLEM EXPLANATION

Hi Def Audio vs. AC’97 sound cards
You have a Hi Definition Audio sound card installed on your Dell
==> Hi Def Audio is the newest standard for sound cards. It uses digital technology
==> AC’97 was the name of the original standard for sound cards. It used analog technology

Hi Def Audio vs AC’97 Drivers

• AC’97 sound cards require a sound card driver and that’s exactly what we all got used to looking for
• Hi Def Audio sound cards require TWO drivers (by definition of the Hi Def Audio standard!) The standard requires:
  • A driver for the sound card (when looking in Device Manager, it still looks like the one we’re used to installing and seeing there) PLUS
  • A driver for a new device called the “sound card bus controller”. You may also see it refered to as the “Hi Def Audio controller” or a some similar name. (When looking in Device Manager you'll find it listed with other controllers)

Installing Drivers for Hi Def Audio
Microsoft decided to include a default Windows driver for the Audio bus controller. They thought sound card vendors then had a choice:
==> a) Use the Windows default driver for the Hi Def Audio controller and only provide their own sound card driver, or
==> b) Write their own Hi Def Audio controller. They would include both drivers, controller and sound card, in the driver install file the user runs.

Vista was released with the default driver already included in its driver library. However, established versions of Windows (like XP) requires a user to install Microsoft update
==> KB835221 to add the default driver to XP SP1
==> KB888111 to add the default driver to XP SP2. KB888111 should be installed after KB835221 has been installed
==> XP SP3: No updates required. The default driver comes included in XP SP3's driver library

My current best guess: Your problem is related to the bus controller driver on your computer

NEXT THINGS TO DO

1. I’d like a snapshot of all your drivers and version numbers
   ==> Install and run DriverView
   ==> Once it opens Edit->Select All, Edit->Copy then paste it into a Notepad file .txt file and attach it to your next post
2. Uninstall things in this order:
   • First off, you should open Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs, look for any sound devices and, if found, click the Remove button to uninstall
   • Next uninstall using Device Manager. Look for the sound card and audio bus controller drivers. Click View->Devices by connection. Expand ACPI PC and sub-components until you see PCI Bus then expand PCI bus as well. You can find both devices under PCI Bus
     1. Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio among the items directly under PCI bus and
     2. Expand the Hi Hi Def Audio controller to see your sound card.
     3. Check each device to see if a device driver is loaded. Rt click to select the driver then Uninstall.
3. Try installing the Dell driver again. Once installed, repeat above to find both of the two drivers. Find them? Rt click on each driver, select Properties. On the General tab, look for Device Status. Does it indicate it's running or a problem?

Note: I downloaded then opened the Dell driver file and looked at what the installer was doing. It first installs Micorsoft KB835221 only (not the other MS KB). If you still have a problem, let me know as there's still other things to do

I have saved the above info for information reference (seeming it's excellent)
This part interests me most:
Please follow LookinAround's request under "NEXT THINGS TO DO"

thanks

and a footnote re: DriverSweeper. Some supplemental info which you may already know but to be clear for others

1. i've never used this tool but had previously read about it and seems an excellent tool
2. However, is important to note
==> a) It only cleans up supported drivers which currently are NVIDIA (Display and Chipset), ATI (Display), Creative (Sound), Ageia (PhysX), MMouse and Realtek (Sound).
==> b) Also, it also does NOT touch the Hi Def Audio Bus controller drivers (should they be in need of some attention)

Says the drivers are either missing or corrupted...?

OK. let's go over some things

1. just an fyi/request: When you post a reply please use the Post Reply button vs. Quote buttons as follows:
- Quote: Only if you think helpful to reference the older post you are replying to (as you see all prior text gets included and repeated)
- Post Reply: To simply post a reply (note this button is typically sufficient for most replies)
2. Please be careful to follow instructions AND follow them in the order given or there's no point in trying to be of help. Step #1 told you how get and give me a snap shot of your drivers BEFORE you uninstalled anything (which is now impossible as you didn't post the report file so i assume you never created one)
3. Are you stating that you checked for BOTH devices indicated and BOTH devices reported current or corrupt status? or was that for just one device?
4. You're leaving out important information as i assume if you reran the the device install (which later results in corrupt device status when using Device Manager) you must have gotten SOME type of error messages back during the time of the actual install. Some information about problems and error messages when you do something that generates them would be most helpful

So please try to provide the same detail when responding as i've tried to give you when giving instructions