Member Avatar for riconeill

Hi ,
I have have just spent a day on reinstalling windows after a major crash....
but now I have no sound... anybody now how to get the drivers back up and running..
is there a standard device to start? can install say creative sound blaster? any help would be helpful!!!! oh windows xp home is what I have

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

Generated

Brief, practical diagnostic workflow (XP-era machines) that builds on ’s BIOS fix and the identification advice from and . These steps focus on reliably finding the correct audio device and installing the right driver, and they work whether the sound is missing after a recovery or a clean Windows XP install.

  1. Confirm hardware is enabled in BIOS (onboard audio = Enabled). Check for separate settings for AC'97 vs. HD Audio and for a front-panel jack option.
  2. Inspect Device Manager (Start → Run → devmgmt.msc). Look under “Sound, video and game controllers” and “Other devices.” Note any yellow exclamation marks. Open Properties → Details and copy the top Hardware Id (format example below) — that string is the single best identifier for the exact driver needed.
    PCI\VEN_####&DEV_####&SUBSYS_########
  3. Identify the motherboard/chipset (msinfo32 or a hardware-ID tool as suggested by @caperjack). Download and install chipset/southbridge drivers from the board/OEM first — audio drivers often depend on chipset support.
  4. Clean-install the audio driver: uninstall the audio device in Device Manager, reboot, then run the vendor installer (install as Administrator) and reboot again. If using a discrete card, disable onboard audio in BIOS before installing the card’s driver.
  5. Verify Windows services (Windows Audio, Plug and Play) are running and default playback device/volume aren’t muted (Control Panel → Sounds and Audio Devices). Test with powered speakers and a headphone to isolate cabling/amp issues.
  6. If Device Manager reports Code 10 or the device never appears, test the hardware with a different OS (bootable live USB) or try a cheap USB audio dongle / PCI card — that quickly rules in/out hardware failure.

When seeking exact files, use the hardware ID or the motherboard model to match drivers from the OEM or the audio-IC vendor. This approach complements the thread’s discoveries and reduces guesswork when multiple generic codecs (AC'97, HD Audio, VIA, Sigmatel, etc.) are possible.

Recommended Answers

All 13 Replies

Member Avatar for Kraai

I'm not an expert, but what I do know, is that when you re-install your OS, you also need to go to your Pc's manufacturer's website and install the necessary drives from their.

Also make sure you start updating your new installation from the Microsoft update site.

Member Avatar for riconeill

thanks for the info
I got the pc from tesco one of those package deals you know the type..
windows is registered but windows is contained with in the h drive so I can only do a f10 recovery which is what I have done....but for some reason no sound device..
I am now heading over to microsoft as you saod see what they have..nice cheers
ric

Member Avatar for Kraai

You may also want to see if Realtek AC 97 sound drivers will work to bring your audio back. I know in my case it did. Here is a link to them:

Member Avatar for itdupuis

get your MOBO information, find out if you have any other sound cards, video or graphics cards and post them here. I will provide the exact drivers you need if you take the time to post the necessary specs!

Member Avatar for riconeill

X86-based Pc 3066Mhz Phoneix Technologies

SIS 661FX/GX Mirage Graphic

Audio codecs
legacy Audio Drivers
legacy capture devices
media control devices
video codecs
unimodem full duplex Audio device

and two I have loaded

sound blaster 16 or AWE32 or compatible (WDM)!
MPU-401 compatible Midi device!

hope this is what you require many thanks ric

Member Avatar for caperjack

get this program ,run it and in the left side/hardware section, click on motherboard and give us the model # of the motherboard , or devices and
http://www.gtopala.com/download/siw.exe

Member Avatar for riconeill

You may also want to see if Realtek AC 97 sound drivers will work to bring your audio back. I know in my case it did. Here is a link to them:

OK just to let you all no I have cracked it ...Kraai you were right !!I have downloaded the
Realtek AC 97 sound drivers and then installed them but there was a bit more to it to get it all up and running.. first if you have installed new windows or done a recovery you must go into bios first and make sure you enable audio simple when you know eh I also found my ethe cable was not enabled.. anyway then boot back up and then make sure all other progs are turned off make sure your tray is empty now reinstall the required drivers...then set all your hardware programs to this new driver... test speakers now re boot all is well
many thanks
ric

Member Avatar for itdupuis

ah, i am glad you have found the solution... but i was hoping to get a chance to personally help someone out! Anyway, I am glad it worked out for you!

Member Avatar for Kraai

Riconeill, very good, and I am glad that I could be able to help in a way. Good luck!

Member Avatar for caperjack

lucky guess on the drive! LOL
like it says on the site that was linked .from link
========
Audio drivers available for download from the Realtek website are general drivers for our audio ICs, and may not offer the customizations made by your system/motherboard manufacturer. To be sure you obtain the full features/customizations provided in your original audio product, please download the latest drivers from your system/motherboard manufacturer's website.

Member Avatar for Kraai

lucky guess on the drive! LOL
like it says on the site that was linked .from link
========
Audio drivers available for download from the Realtek website are general drivers for our audio ICs, and may not offer the customizations made by your system/motherboard manufacturer. To be sure you obtain the full features/customizations provided in your original audio product, please download the latest drivers from your system/motherboard manufacturer's website.

You can say that again. That was the reason I linked to the landing page instead of the exe file, to emphasize my earlier posting about drivers from the manufacturers website. Generally, Realtek should work fine on most systems.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Yeah most boards use the realtek or the sigmatel ones.

Member Avatar for caperjack

as long as its not the via chipset ,then you would need the Via ac97 drivers ,also could have been ac97 highDefinition 5.1/7.1 drivers needed !with out the MB name its only guessing !

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