From an earlier post to save me retyping:
"luvhuffer08-20-2006, 10:00 AM
OK Which Sound Max drivers did you install? Were they the AUD_ALL32_5.12.1.5240_PV2.EXE Ver:5.12.1.5240
Date:4/13/2005? And do you see any sound drivers listed in add/remove programs? From Intels web site;
Removal of Analog Devices SoundMAX Audio Driver
1. From the task bar, click on Start -> Settings -> Control Panel,
or for Windows XP click on Start -> My Computer -> System Tasks.
2. Double-click on the Add/Remove programs icon.
3. Double-click on SoundMAX Install.
4. If the installation media is present, a dialog will appear.
Select Remove and press Next.
5. Reboot the system to fully uninstall the drivers.
Installation or Update of Analog Devices SoundMAX 4.0
1. From the task bar, click on Start -> Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, type X:\path\setup, where X:\path is the
full path to the root of the installation media.
3. When upgrading or reinstalling, a dialog will appear. Select
Reinstall and press Next.
4. Click on the OK button or press the ENTER key.
5. Click on the Next and OK prompts as they appear.
"Hardware Installation" dialog box may appear in the case of
unsigned driver releases when the valid driver security catalog
file is not included in the install set. The dialog box is warning
that SoundMAX software has not passed Windows Logo testing.
Press "Continue Anyway" to install unsigned driver.
6. Reboot the system to complete the installation.
That's what Intel says. If it was me I'd first uninstall the program then before rebooting, go to the device manager and click on Sound Video Game Controllers. Double click on SoundMax AC97 audio and go to the driver tab. Click the uninstall button. Say yes to any are you sure? messages. Then reboot and follow the instructions above, or else just click on the executable icon and let them install automatically If it doesn't say SoundMAX AC97 audio in device manager, what does it say?"