Member Avatar for hollowGod

Asus A7V400-MX
AMD Thoroughbred Socket A
Windows XP

I can't install the SoundMAX Audio Driver on the integrated soundcard.
I have downloaded the driver from Asus and tried to install both manually and with the .exe file.
But I only get an error message saying 'Bad data' in the end of the installation.

Anyone have a solution for this problem?

hollowGod

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Dani AI

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Quick notes for (and to build on ’s BIOS suggestion): the A7V400‑MX ships with an ADI SoundMAX onboard codec (6‑channel), so the Asus support package is the right driver family to use. (asus.com)

First, clean Windows’ driver state — installers often fail with “Bad data” when ghosted or mismatched driver entries remain. From a Command Prompt run the environment trick and open Device Manager, then View → Show hidden devices; uninstall any greyed/duplicate audio entries and, where offered, choose to delete the driver package. This removes stale INF/driver files that can cause installer rollbacks. (support.microsoft.com)

Run these two commands before editing Device Manager:

set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
start devmgmt.msc

After removing old audio entries, get a fresh copy of the ADI/SoundMAX package from Asus and either Run as administrator or extract the EXE and install the driver from Device Manager using “Have Disk…” (point to the extracted INF). If system file corruption is suspected, run sfc /scannow first (may need the XP install media). ()

If the fresh install still reports “Bad data”: try another driver build (older or newer), install in Safe Mode (after removing the old entries), update the VIA/chipset drivers, or test with a cheap PCI/USB audio adapter — a failed onboard codec is common on older boards. Note the POST / welcome beep can come from the motherboard speaker and does not prove the codec or front‑panel jacks are healthy. Create a restore point or backup before any registry edits. (asus.com)

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Member Avatar for hollowGod

But I only get an error message saying 'Bad data' in the end of the installation.

I am from Norway so the error message I recive may also translate to 'Invalid Data'.

hollowGod

Member Avatar for Coconut Monkey

Is this a new install of Windows XP?

Is the onboard sound enabled in the BIOS?

Do you have any programs running in the system tray, such as a virus scanner?

Member Avatar for hollowGod

Is this a new install of Windows XP?

Is the onboard sound enabled in the BIOS?

Do you have any programs running in the system tray, such as a virus scanner?

No, It's not a new install, the pc belong to my friend and he said that the
sound worked a while then it stopped. When I looked in the Device Manager both the onboard graphic and sound card was marked as uninstalled. I downloaded the drivers needed from Asus, and the graphic card installed successfully, but not the sound card.
The virus scanner was disabled when I tried to install the driver.

I don't now if it has something to do with this problem, but I have the normal system beep when the pc start, but I also have a beep when Windows Welcome screen appear just before it changes to the Desktop.
(I tried to change ram)

hollowGod

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