No sound from laptop...

Evening All

I have a Dell Inspiron 700m laptop that i have inherited from my son; it runs Windows XP.

At first there was no problem with the sound from the laptop speakers then one morning there was just silence - even when dialling up to the net.
A couple of times after that when i closed down it did the tune thingy then, but even that has stopped now.

I have done some of the things it says to do in the user manual; the next thing they say to try is to reinstall the driver with the cd - after checking that all the drivers are okay. They seem to be and i am a bit uncertain about doing this as i am a novice.

Any advice would be gratefully accepted; many thanks .

orion1

 

Insert the CD with the driver on it. If the autorun pops, just close it.
Open up Device Manager,
To open Device Manager: Start>Control Panel> System. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager, then click the plus sign in front of Sound, Video, Game Controllers.
In Device Manager, if there is a ? in front of your audio device, that means no audio driver is installed.
A ! means driver installation attempted but with problems.

To install the driver, right click on your sound device, click update Driver software, choose browse my computer, point it to your CD/DVD drive with the disc in it, and install.
If that doesn't fix it, let us know.

 

Thank you musksnipe for your reply; i have checked the audio driver as you said but there is no ? or A!, it all appears to be ok.
Should i reinstall the driver anyway?

 

Are you getting error messages? What is the message?
Do you have an add-on card? Or the just the audio Dell put in it?
Check: Speakers connected?
Check: Master Volume control.
Check: Windows Audio Service is started.
Go to Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services
Scroll down the list of services until you find Windows Audio
Open up Windows Audio by double clicking
Make sure it is running, if not, click on Start.

It probably wouldn't hurt to install your chipset driver and then your audio driver.
Is it possible to load just drivers off of your disc? It's a Dell so you should have a disc with just the drivers.
If that doesn't get you going, let me know and I'll take a look around the Dell site.

 

There is no error message anywhere i can see.
I have checked all you suggested and they're okay.
I'm not using external speakers, just the built in ones.

The disc i have is the 'Drivers and Utilities one and i think it's okay to load just the drivers as it suggests in the manual to do that if needed.

So should i try as you suggested the chipset driver and audio driver as per your previous instructions? I'm a bit wary about doing this, being a complete novice...

 

Meant to say, i don't know if there is and add on card or not...

 

Just set a restore point before adding the drivers.
Chances are you don't have an add-on card, unless your son added one.
Installing the drivers shouldn't hurt anything. There should be only the proper drivers for your system on that disc.
PS: The Restore Point is a good thing for reversing things that sometimes can go wrong, but in this case you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

 

I have done all that musksnipe but there is still no sound, may have to take it to someone to be looked at...

 

Oh, forgot something...... Have you re-booted after installing the drivers?
One last thing to check. I don't think that is the problem, but you should check your BIOS, just in case.
Re-start your PC. As the PC starts, press F2.
Tap it until you enter set-up, then look for your audio (it should be in Advanced) Make sure that it is on.

 

I took a look at Dell to just make sure you have the newest drivers. BTW these are for XP.
Install this (the chipset driver), then re-boot:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=27&fileid=149851

Install
1.Double-click the new icon on the desktop labeled R114079.EXE.
2.The Self-Extracting window appears and prompts you to extract or
unzip to C:\DELL\DRIVERS\R114079. Write down this path so the executable (I.e.
Setup.exe) file can be found later.
3.The Self-Extractor window appears.
4.Click OK.
5.After completing the file extraction, if the Self-Extractor
window is still open, close it.
6.Click the Start button and then click Run.
7.Type C:\DELL\DRIVERS\R114079 in the Open textbox and then click OK.
8.Follow the on-screen installation instructions.

Then install this (the audio driver), then re-boot:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=3&fileid=118248

Install
1.Double-click the new icon on the desktop labeled R90698.EXE.
2.The Self-Extracting window appears and prompts you to extract or
unzip to C:\DELL\DRIVERS\r90698.
3.The Self-Extractor window appears.
4.Click OK.
5.After completing the file extraction, if the Self-Extractor
window is still open, close it.
6.Click the Start button and then click Run.
7.Type C:\DELL\DRIVERS\r90698 in the Open textbox and then click OK.
8.Follow the on-screen installation instructions.

 

I downloaded the chipset driver (took ages) but when i tried to extract it i got this message: 'This self extracting zip file is part of a multidisk zip file. Please insert the last disk of the set'.
Which of course i haven't got a clue what it means.

 

Are you on dial-up? I just downloaded it quickly and the installer seemed to work. (Couldn't go far 'cause I don't have a Dell)
Possibly it was a bad download. Delete it and try downloading it again.

Did you download from this link?
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=149851

 

Yes, i am on dial up, but even so my computer seems to be a bit slow in the last couple of days.

I did download it from the site you gave me; i will delete it and start over.

Also forgot to mention before; you said about checking the BIOS; i did restart and tried to press F2 but nothing happened; i could not see the bit on start up where you can get into that, it just carried straight on to opening.
I hope you know what i mean, i do not know all the tech jargon , so i don't know what is happening there; i know it was okay before - i mean i could see it then but not now.

 

When you get a chance, re-start and immediately start tapping F2 until you get to your BIOS set-up. I can't remember if you can even set the audio in BIOS on a Dell. I know the BIOS has limited features on them.

The download link says it should take less than four minutes to down that driver on dial-up.

 

I will try that to get to the BIOS when it's finished downloading.

The first download took approx. 30 mins; this one will probably be the same the way it is going...

Perhaps we are slower on this side of the world...

 

Where are you at?

 

New Zealand...

 

These links are from Dell Australia. Maybe that will speed up your download if this last failed, too. You're downloading from 1/2 way around the world and that may be your problem. Good chance of corruption.

Intel Mobile Chipset, v.5.00.1012, A06

SIGMATEL STAC 9750 AC97, v.5.10.0.3952, A15

 

Thanks musksnipe, i will try those if this download - which is still going - fails also.

 

The download that i tried again from your part of the world just seemed to stall so i cancelled it and went to the link from Australia, which on the site says it should take 6.9 minutes to download but in the box downloading it on my computer it says 45 minutes!
Perhaps there is something worse wrong with my computer than just no sound; any idea why it is so slow?
As i said before, it seems to have gotten slower in the past couple of days.

 

No, unless your chipset drivers are corrupted some. They basically keep the hardware running right. More then likely it's the phone service. Or that might link back to Dell in the USA again.
I am about to take off for the night, so I will get back with you tomorrow.
Good luck with the downloads.
EDIT: if you can get to a PC with a faster connection you can DL the files, then save them to CD and install them on your PC

 

Thanks musksnipe, you've been great; sleep well.

I can't get to a faster connection just now so i will plod along on this one; it probably is just the phone connection here.

Is that EDIT bit from someone else? Excuse my ignorance...

 

Only Forum Moderators and Administrators can edit someone else's posts, so that comment is from Musky.

 

Thanks for the info Mimsy

 

If you're around musksnipe, i downloaded those two drivers as per your instructions and rebooted my computer but it has not helped. Time to take it to someone here to look at maybe?

And by the way, my computer was running slow; there was something wrong with the phone line. When i logged on this morning it was only running at 4.6 kbs! Contacted telecom and hopefully it's fixed.
I should have checked that last night...

I don't know if you have any more suggestions, but anyway, thanks so much for all the help you have given me; i appreciate it very much.

 

I'm just heading for bed :zzz and didn't look to see if you have Hi-Def sound, but.......
You may need to remove any instances of the Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio listed under System devices.. Go into Device Manager, under the system folder, right click the UAA Hi-Def Bus driver. (If there is one there) Disable the device and then uninstall it. Then install your driver and re-boot.
I'll take another good look at what we've done and try to figure this out for you, first thing in the morning,

 

Wow, I WAS sleepy last night.
Realtek and Sigmatel Hi-Def audio drivers have been a real pain because of the Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio. Here are the COMPLETE steps that have worked for several people with RealTek Hi-Def sound. (You have the Sigmatel driver but it runs the RealTek AC'97 chip) I have also seen a fix from Intel that groups both types of drivers, so the fix below may help you get your driver installed. I can't find any info on your PC yet, as to whether or not it IS hi-def audio. Dell doesn't make that clear in their specs sheet. You may find that there is no UAA Bus controller, if so we will have to change tactics. I'll do some more looking as the day goes on and get back with you later.

1) Uninstall the Realtek (Sigmatel) software through Add/Remove Programs (if it's installed but not working)
2) In Device Manager, remove the high definition audio device under Sound, Video & Game controllers.
3) Still in Device Manager, double-click Legacy Audio Drivers
4) Click on the Properties tab
5) Select any sound device listed here and click the Remove button
6) Restart Windows and retry the installation.
You may need to remove any instances of the Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio listed under System devices as well.
Go into Device Manager, under the system folder, right click the UAA Hi-Def Bus driver. Disable the device and then uninstall it. Then install your audio driver and re-boot

PS. Did you ever get into your BIOS to make sure your sound is enabled?

 

I ran out of edit time, so in step #2, don't worry if it doesn't say Hi-def audio device. Also, do not remove Legacy or Codecs in this step.

I think I am going to need a detailed hardware report from you (never had a Dell driver be this stubborn before)
Use this app to get the report:
Everest: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181
Click "Report" at the top of the Everest window, click next to get to "Report Profile", select "Hardware-related Pages", click next, select "Plain Text", click "Finish". Then when it is done processing, click "Save To File". Save it where you want to. (I would use Desktop.)
Click "Go Advanced" in the MG reply box, scroll down a little way until you see "Manage Attachments", click it, browse to your file, click "Upload", and close the window. Then submit the post. You may have to also type something in the reply box, like, "Here's my report.", so that it will submit.

 

I found this info, but am not sure if this is your problem. I looked back through this thread and noticed that your device manager has no bad reports about the driver, so it is possible it is a hardware issue and not a software one. If the last fix doesn't work you may want to contact Dell and see if they can tell you how to check on this. Here is the Dell Australia link.
Dell Support
Use the Email support, because I think they may charge for phone support.

Edit: Does the sound work through headphones?

 

Hello musksnipe, just wanted to let you know that the problem with the phone line was not fixed yesterday and consequently got worse so that i could not access the 'net at all until just now (it has been fixed); so i will read through properly what you have written and attempt it rolleyes.

About the BIOS, i did get in there eventually but what came up was a whole lot of stuff i could not understand; different stuff seem to come up from what you told me - probably me ...

 

That UAA Hi-Def Bus driver, would that be in the Universal Serial Bus Controllers file if it was there - which it's not

 

No, it would be in the System section of Device Manager.
My wife has a Dell Desktop, I will post back about how to get to the audio in BIOS, although it might be different between desktops and laptops.
(Don't know why I didn't think of that before)

 

It's not in there either - presuming i am looking in the right place; remember i am a complete novice...

In fact i am a bit wary of doing some of the things you say even though i am sure you know what you are doing; some of what you say does not match up with what comes up on my computer. Which probably means i am doing the wrong thing...

 

Ok, on her PC, after entering F2 and getting to BIOS, the first screen has an option called Integrated Devices (Legacy Select Options) Use the arrow keys to scroll to it and push enter.
Then you should see PC Speaker. It should say ON. If it doesn't, use your right or left arrow key to change it.
Then push the ESC key, push it again, then select Save changes and exit (if you had to change it, otherwise select Discard changes and exit) and push Enter. Your PC should re-start.

 

Two things are happening with why you are seeing different things, than I am describing. One, I haven't been on a Dell in awhile and two I am going by some of the scant info that Dell has about your PC, although the drivers I supplied are definitely for your Dell model.
I skipped a step because I had your model number and I am familiar with getting drivers off the Dell site and never have had a problem getting a Dell to install them. So, let's get back on track with info.

I think I am going to need a detailed hardware report from you (never had a Dell driver be this stubborn before)
Use this app to get the report:
Everest: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181
Click "Report" at the top of the Everest window, click next to get to "Report Profile", select "Hardware-related Pages", click next, select "Plain Text", click "Finish". Then when it is done processing, click "Save To File". Save it where you want to. (I would use Desktop.)
Click "Go Advanced" in the MG reply box, scroll down a little way until you see "Manage Attachments", click it, browse to your file, click "Upload", and close the window. Then submit the post. You may have to also type something in the reply box, like, "Here's my report.", so that it will submit.

Also, diid you see this post?

 

Sorry i am taking so long to get back to you - had to go out.
First, when getting into the bios thingy, there is nothing there about Integrated devices or legacy select options; i went through the menu - i think - and gave up...
second, there is sound through headphones...

 

Well for crying out loud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After all that, the post originally by you that you sent to me seems to be exactly what is happening here.
I shut the laptop to about 20% as the other person did in the quote there and sure enough there is sound

 

...time to get the screwdrivers out

 

I'm glad we finally might have pegged the problem. Sometimes it takes awhile to sort through what may be the problem to get to what is the problem.
I knew the drivers should have installed and that your weren't getting any Device Manager errors, but I had to make sure.
Maybe this will help out. It's a link to your manual.
http://support.ap.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins700m/en/SM/index.htm

Look in Removing the Display Module, it shows the speaker wires I believe

 

Thanks very much for the link musksnipe but I think i may take it to someone who knows what they are doing to do this - that's if my curiosity doesn't get the better of me before tomorrow... rolleyes

Anyway, thanks so very much for your patience and your help; i have learnt one or two things along the way which is always good

I will let you know when it is done; you're a star :cool

 

Glad to help,

 

If you're around musksnipe, just wanted to say that the problem has been fixed - by a technician ; one of the audio wires had been cut due to the opening and closing of the lid as you said :cool

This is not the first time i have had help from one of the great people on Major Geeks; it is such a fantastic site and i always recommend it to others

No doubt i will be back ; thank you so very much and Geek on :major

Best Regards
Claire

 

Great! :hyper
Good to hear it's fixed. I just happened to stumble over that info, so Google is the real hero!
http://bestsmileys.com/army/8.gif<< Corporal Google

 

No mate, you took the time to do a lot of looking up of things, so you're the real hero :cool, very, very helpful :major.

Take care

 

Thanks for the thanks. :wine