HELP...sound card

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

Hi some of the components in my soundcard got either overwrittern or deleted..don't aske me how lol, i think i know what i need to do:

1.Remove soundcard(computer off of course)
2.Turn on so that my computer reconises that the sofware is missing
3.Turn off and put the card back in
4.Hopefully the computer will re-install the soundcard

so i opened up my computer last night and realised...i have no idea were the sound card is..i can locate the GFX, RAM, Motherboard (all obvious i know)..But any help? please?...am i doing this right and if so can you help me..? sorry for the inconvinience

[A TIN OF PLUMS]

i would have left the soundcard in and installed the drivers again.it would see it again and work.

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

It's the same card that came with the computer and i don't have a disk with the drivers...were can ig et them from?

[A TIN OF RED]

Try this

goto
control panel : add/remove programs
uninstall any software for your soundcard

then
control panel : system
select the hardware tab, then click on device manager
scroll down till u see sound, video and game controllers
then click on the + to expand the menu
right click on any of your soundcard items listed and select uninstall

switch off for a few mins, then boot up and see if it recognises the soundcard and installs drivers (have your driver dsc to hand 1st though)

[A TIN OF RED]

oops - just seen u lost the drivers disk - any idea wot the sound card is ?

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

erm i have just noticed something..i went to device manager and found C-Media AC97 Audio Device has a "!" next to it...and i ahve no idea what to do should i try "update driver.."

[A TIN OF RED]

Sounds like its an onboard soundcard - so u cant remove it without going into the BIOS - do you know what motherboard you have ?

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

Right ok then..i ahve just done what it said microsoft recomends which was to uninstall that driver then re-install using the add hardware wizard..but it has the exact same thing when it re-installs and i tried to update but it doesnt find any new sources to update..in the properties it does not acctually say what is wrong though..

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

i have no idea what Motherboard i have..lol i don't know too much about computers :P

[A TIN OF SALAMI]

For more info about your system try AIDA32 - Personal System Information 3.93 (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download181.html)
It's free and can tell you allot about your system.

[A TIN OF RED]

ok try this:

make a new folder in your My Documents - call it AC97
dowload this file HERE (http://www.kazone.net/files/9739xp018.zip) and save to that folder.
extract the file into that directory - it will make a folder called Win_xp.

goto control panel:system:hardware:device manager

double click on the C-media AC97.... to open the properties box and select Update driver - when asked tell it u have the disc - then browse to the AC97/Win+xp folder

[A TIN OF PORK]

yeah sounds right red ive had a couple of computer that after format theres no sound and if its onboard witch this sounds like it is then i just put "ac 97" in to google download it and just double click and it installs its self its worked everytime for me:1 (117):

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

It now says.."There was a problem installing this device
This Device cannot start. (Code 10)

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

do you have MSN RED it may be easier?..

[A TIN OF WOLF]

AC97 is deffinately onboard sound......search for it on the net and download the drivers etc, motherboard doesn't matter.......and just make sure in your bios that any onboard sound options are ticked ........but ive had a lot to drink so this may not make sense in the morning.

[BLOOD TIN CADET]

Erm..as i have said i don't know much about computers, were do i find my bio's to make sure..?

[A TIN OF OATS]

Is it just me, or is anyone else starting to sniff disaster in the air?

Do you know if you have Windows XP Home edition or Pro? Cos I think it may be better to let someone sensible connect to your PC remotely to look at this for you.

OK, 'sensible' might be a bigger problem.

[A TIN OF ZED]

have you got 3dmark installed or can download it, if so use it or install it and click on the detail tag. this will tell you what motherboard you have and what revison it is. after that look on the motherboard web site and find the support or driver download page on the respective web site. and download the ac97 sound driver for the motherboard. this will not only resolve the current problem but will help you in soerting any further problem you may get!

[A TIN OF OATS]

ZED - I think that friggin sig is gonna give me an epileptic fit or something :1 (66):

[A TIN OF DEMON]

Ok this is what you need to do, download this small program from here :http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utilities/System_Analysis_Utilities/PC_information_Download.html
This will give you your motherboard model and your sound card info. It could be a VIA AC97 or a Realtek AC97 chip. Either using the motherboard or sound chip info download the latest driver for your sound chip. Install the drivers...if this does not work - You need to ask a few questions: What was the last thing I done before the sound stopped working e.g. installed a game, or software? If nothing was installed or changed, Do you have automatic updates switched on in Windows XP, to find out if you have right click on my computer and select properties, then select automatic updates tab. If it is switched off and no other software has been changed then it looks like your sound chip is blown and you need to buy a sound card, they are quite cheap if you have not much money, around 10 -15 quid for the cheapest ones. The only other option you have if all else fails is to reinstall Windows XP, if that don't work - get yourself to the local PC shop.Anyway hope this helps.

[A TIN OF ZED]

LMAO & oats You'll Get used to E'm

"ZED - I think that friggin sig is gonna give me an epileptic fit or something"