The Dreaded... No Audio Device

I've looked at numerous other forums to no success for this problem and it's sort of beginning to bother me. I've had a computer sitting here for awhile now that had Windows XP installed on it for me by a friend of the family's and today I finally hooked it up and did the Windows Updates online. I hadn't yet tried to play any audio on it, but after I was done downloading my preferred anti-virus software etc., I noticed that there was no volume control in the tray. I took a look in control panel under the sound options and in what seems to be a common problem it tells me I have "no audio device". I've looked all over the place for solutions and what I've tried seems to not help. If someone could please help me, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

I tried every solution I could find on the internet thus far and I think I'm causing more damage than fixing anything. I tried to install Realtek AC '97 and it installed and shows up in the services list but now I gives me an error 10 message with a yellow exclamation mark. I tried another solution that dealt with the Plug and Play Enumerator but it did nothing also. I'm very distressed now.

 

Hi there and welcome!

Code 10
If the device has a FailReasonString value in its hardware key, that string appears as the error message. The driver or enumerator puts this registry string value there. If there is no FailReasonString in the hardware key, you receive the following error message:

This device cannot start. (Code 10)



Recommended resolution


Device failed to start. Click Update Driver to update the drivers for this device. On the General Properties tab of the device, click Troubleshoot to start the Troubleshooting Wizard.


If that doesnt work try this:
http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/SOUND-CARD/REALTEK/

Let us know if it works for you!

 

Hey, thanks for your help. I tried uninstalling, reinstalling, restarting with Realtek (two different drivers, one from their page and the one you listed) to no avail. I tried to let Windows find a driver by removing everything related to audio drivers (including a Windows HD Audio Driver or something) from the remove programs section in control panel and when it searches it says it can't find anything. If anybody has anything else we can try, it would be appreciated.

 

Did you try re-booting afterwards? Windows should detect the driver then. rolleyes

 

If it's any help to anyone here this is what I see in device manager:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Incubus0120/device_manager.jpg

 

Yes, I've tried many different variations of installing/restarting, but just so we're clear, do you mean installing the Realtek AC '97 and THEN restarting?

 

Yes...here, try reading this and see if it helps
http://planetside.station.sony.com/support/tech_support/installing_sound_video_drivers.vm

 

Just to make sure I wasn't looking over something, I did a complete audio driver uninstall and then re-installed the newest Realtek I could find compatible with my version of XP and here's what I see in Device Manager now:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Incubus0120/new_device_manager.jpg

I still get the Code 10 message.

Also, thanks again, I looked over that site and from what I can tell it just tells you how to install new drivers for video and audio through executables which is what I've been trying.

 

One of the possible probs is that you may need to install the Intel® Chipset Software Installation Utility after your re-install of Windows. This link takes you to the Intel site page that helps you to identify your chipset. When you are sure what you have, choose the right type at page bottom and once at that page there should be downloads for all the drivers needed for that chipset.
http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-009245.htm
You may want to visit this page first and read it.
http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/inf/