No audio, driver wont install.

Hi, I am having an audio problem on my Dell Dimension 4700 after reinstalling windows xp home. Checked the other threads on this, but couldnt find a solution.

The reason for the re-installation was because I updated my PC via windows updates and couldnt get any audio after the update, so I re-installed windows using the discs provided with my Dell.

No sound from speakers (connected via expansion slot) or headphones(3.5mm jack). However, I do get sound when I plug in USB headphones.

Ive tried installing the audio driver from the dell website specific to my model and it doesnt work for me. Ive also tried installing the driver from the 'drivers' disc provided with my machine. The following message appears when installing:Installation failed 'The audio driver files do not support your computer hardware'.
The driver is R94481

Multimedia Audio Controller, Video Controller & Video Controller (VGA) all have yellow question marks with exclamation marks.
Any help would be much appreciated, as Im feeling quite defeated right now...

 

Hi,
Please could you run everest ..... http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Click Report (top menu) > Report Wizard > Next
Choose System Summary Only > Next
Choose Plain Text > Finish and wait for report to generate
Click Save to File and leave the File Name as Report, then click the Save as Type dropdown and choose Report files (*txt) and click Save (n.b. Save to desktop is best as easy place to find it, use Browse to locate desktop)

Add the report in your next post like this.....

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=86880

Could you also please give me your service tag# as this will give me the correct drivers for your machine.

 

Hi,
Just noticed that this is a double post!!! .... http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=245530

Please follow Calibans instructions as it is the chipset that is missing from your drivers, you may also need to install the UAA driver for your audio.

1. Chipset .... http://support.dell.com/support/dow...peid=-1&formatid=-1&impid=-1&checkFormat=true

reboot system.

2. UAA .... http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?cc=uk&lc=en&dlc=en&softwareitem=ob-47284-1 ( this was probably what was missing for your upgrade of xp, you need this for audio in sp3 !!)

reboot system.

3. Audio .... http://support.dell.com/support/dow...peid=-1&formatid=-1&impid=-1&checkFormat=true

reboot system.

hope that this helps!!

 

I really hope that my audio doesn't start acting up, I've seen like 5 threads here about realtek audio drivers.

 

If your audio is working and you have no issues that need to be addressed with your sound, then I would advise you not to install any audio driver updates!!! this way you will not have the fear of your audio going t*ts up, but if it is an impotant security reason as to update audio ALWAYS create a restore point before installing .

hope that this puts your mind to rest.

 

Hi Iain, that hasnt worked for me...

 

Hi,
Sorry that does not work for you . You mention that you have an expansion slot that you use for audio?? I am wondering if your system has an up-graded card installed, If this is the case would you be comfortable in removing the towers side panel off (right panel as you viewe from back)to get the info i need off the card that is in the expansion slot??.

Before removing the panel make sure you have isolated the power source, ground yourself by either wearing an anti-static wristband or touch a tap/radiator to dissapate any static charge you may be holding.

Also could you still run and attach the Everest(#2) report for me as this will give me vital information about your systems configuration.

 

Hi, Iain, just to update you with how Im getting on.....

Ive got into bios and audio device is enabled.

Checked Check Control Panel/ Sound & Audio Devices/ Audio tab/

& Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Component Services /

They were ok.

I tried a few other things: I re-installed the chipset driver, restarted the machine, then re-installed the audio driver and it installed....but still no sound.
Then I installed the video driver (correct one this time) and this got rid of most of the yellow question marks with excalamation marks in device manager.

However, 'Multimedia Audio Controller' is the only one with a yellow question mark and exclamation mark. How to solve this? So as of yet still no sound from speakers and headphones. I only get sound from my USB headphones.

The speakers are plugged in via the expansion bay not the I/O. Im comfortable removing the sidepanel, what information did you need from the card...it says sound audigy 2 on it.

I will post the summary from everest shortly...really appreciate your help!

 

Hi thanks for the info.... I now know that you have a creative sound card installed on your system .

Here is the latest driver for your card.....

http://support.creative.com/Product...gy 2&subCatName=Audigy&CatName=Sound+Blaster# (Creative Sound Blaster Audigy series driver 2.18.0017 top of the list)

click agree to the download terms and install , it should auto install when you click "run" as it is an .exe file. Once installed please reboot your system.

You should now have sound !! (hopefully )

Iain.

 

Iain...you beauty, its worked! Cheers for that mate! I now have sound.

However.....one small thing, under device manager multimedia audio controller still has a yellow question mark with exclamation mark?

 

Great to hear you now have sound .

In your device manager under the Sound/video and games controllers> right click Multimedia Audio Controller> update driver> let windows search online for it.

reboot after update for the system to recognise the changes.

Iain.

 

Clicked on connect to windows update to search for softare 'this time only'.
Next screen 'install software automatically', it then goes to a screen saying, 'the hardware could not be installed because windows could not find the necessary software'

 

Ok! it could be that the onboard audio card conflicting with your creative card, go back into your Bios and disable your on board audio, this should remedy the ! error mark in device manager, though if your audio is working as it should be just leave things as they are.

 

Cheers, thats sorted it!

 

Thanks for the feedback it's good to hear all is as it should be now!!

Anymore issues please create a new thread in the relevent forum and someone will jump in to help/advise with it.

iain.t :major