Member Avatar for tanman

i have a major problem with my c - media ac97 audio device. my computer crashed and ive just recently rebooted it but now i cant get the sound to work. ive tried to install the driver for the speakers but it doesnt seem to work. everytime i try to find out what the problem is a :!: appears next to the drive and says a code 10???

what i want to know is what the hell does that mean?

if anybody has any suggestions please dont hesitate to let me know, cheers.

Tan man!!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by murrayhunter

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Short summary: reported a Code 10 on a “C‑Media AC97” device after a crash. That error in Device Manager normally means “This device cannot start” and most often points to a driver mismatch or a corrupted driver stack rather than a physical speaker fault. Several responders (notably ) found the problem was a wrong or missing vendor driver; the advice below fills in reliable, repeatable diagnostics and safer next steps.

Quick diagnostic checklist

  • Open Device Manager → device → Properties → Details → Hardware Ids. Note the PCI VEN and DEV values to identify the actual chip/vendor.
  • Uninstall the device and check “Delete the driver software for this device,” then reboot so Windows can attempt a clean re-detect.
  • Install the correct audio/chipset drivers from the motherboard or card manufacturer (not random driver sites). For older OSes, use the legacy driver matched to that Windows version or install in compatibility mode.
  • Check BIOS/UEFI: integrated audio must be enabled and the correct mode (AC97 vs HD Audio/Azalia) selected. Front-panel header wiring can also cause no-audio symptoms.

If Code 10 persists

  • Check Event Viewer (System) for driver/kernel errors at the time of the device start attempt.
  • Try the card (or board) in another machine or try a known-working PCI slot; a permanent Code 10 after a clean driver reinstall can indicate hardware failure.
  • For very old AC’97 controllers on modern Windows, official drivers may be unavailable; using the Microsoft generic audio driver or a low-cost USB sound adapter are practical alternatives.

Cautions and final notes
Always create a restore point or system backup before changing drivers. Prioritize official vendors (motherboard or chipmaker) and chipset updates over third‑party aggregators. The fix reported by is a common outcome when Windows has the wrong vendor driver; following the hardware‑ID → vendor → vendor‑driver workflow gives a more durable solution.

Member Avatar for slyd

i have a major problem with my c - media ac97 audio device. my computer crashed and ive just recently rebooted it but now i cant get the sound to work. ive tried to install the driver for the speakers but it doesnt seem to work. everytime i try to find out what the problem is a :!: appears next to the drive and says a code 10???

what i want to know is what the hell does that mean?

if anybody has any suggestions please dont hesitate to let me know, cheers.

Tan man!!

Windows seems to see the sound card as a C-Media AC97 sound card, while it is actually a RealTek AC97 card.After numerous uninstalls and re-stalls and driver updates from all sources, I loaded the RealTek AC97 drivers instead. After a PC restart, with fingernails to bone, IT WORKED!

Try your motherboard site to anylise the problem.

Cheers & beers
slyd

Member Avatar for riverguy

Hi slyd,


Could you please post the link to the CORRECT drivers that worked for you?

I am on WIN2000.

Thanks,

riverguy

Member Avatar for slyd

Hi slyd,


Could you please post the link to the CORRECT drivers that worked for you?

I am on WIN2000.

Thanks,

riverguy

Hi there riverguy!

I actually went onto my motherboard site, and let their system analyse my m/board. The result was that they indicated I had incorrect drivers (c-media), and gave me an option to download the realtek drivers there.

But, here's a link to what might be the drivers for you.

http://www.download.com/Realtek-AC-97-Driver-Windows-98-Me-2000-XP-2003-/3000-2120_4-10238712.html

download, install, and let me know how it pans out.

best wishes for a happy pc....
slyd

Member Avatar for slyd

riverguy

Here's an info thread re. the benefits of accessing your m/board site for drivers...

slyd

Member Avatar for riverguy

Hi there riverguy!

I actually went onto my motherboard site, and let their system analyse my m/board. The result was that they indicated I had incorrect drivers (c-media), and gave me an option to download the realtek drivers there.

But, here's a link to what might be the drivers for you.

http://www.download.com/Realtek-AC-97-Driver-Windows-98-Me-2000-XP-2003-/3000-2120_4-10238712.html

download, install, and let me know how it pans out.

best wishes for a happy pc....
slyd

Hi slyd,

Thanks for the info. Did as you suggested and all is well.

Thanks a bunch

Member Avatar for DaisyFlower

Hi there riverguy!

I actually went onto my motherboard site, and let their system analyse my m/board. The result was that they indicated I had incorrect drivers (c-media), and gave me an option to download the realtek drivers there.

But, here's a link to what might be the drivers for you.

http://www.download.com/Realtek-AC-97-Driver-Windows-98-Me-2000-XP-2003-/3000-2120_4-10238712.html

download, install, and let me know how it pans out.

best wishes for a happy pc....
slyd

Dear Slyd!
Thank you very much for all of your help! I was about to die when my PC has lost its sound after the system has been re-installed! Thanks God I found your advise on the net! Now I can listen to my favorite Scooters in full sound! Now my PC is really happy as well as I am!
Thank you!

Member Avatar for slyd

Hi there DaisyFlower.
I'm really chuffed that my suggestion worked for you too.
Happy listening!
slyd

Member Avatar for murrayhunter

Slyd

you should have taken out a copyright on this answer. Just spent the last day and a half trying to get sound before I remembered daniweb.

Don't know what us amateurs would do without you clever guys

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