Realtek AC'97 and Sound related drivers are listen as Unknown in Device Manager

[ewolfman]

Hi,

I have partial sound (read on!) on my machine, using Realtek AC'97.
I have had this issue a long time ago, and I think that reinstalling
the WDM drivers solved it. However, it doesn't solve the problem now.

Uninstalling and installing the latest WDM (3.99) doesn't fix this.

As a result, I have the following (odd) behavior:

1. mp3 files play well (!).
2. when opening the "Sounds and Audio Devices", under Control Panel,
under the "Audio" tab, Realtek is listed and selected; under Voice
tab, the "Voice Playback" lists Realtek, but it is not selected.
Selecting it, applying, closing the window and reopening - the Realtek
is still not selected.
3. "Sounds and Audio Devices", Sounds tab, lists the usual "Program
events", but selecting one does not enable the "play" button.
4. Sound in IE is not playing.
5. The "Play volume icon in the taskbar" - does not display the volume
icon in the taskbar.
6. Realtek AC'97 and the rest of the Sound related drivers are listen
under the node "Unknown" in Device Manager. No "Sounds, video and game
controllers" node exists.

I'm certain that this is a device driver issue. But at the moment, I
have no idea how to solve it.

Any ideas? (Please, do not suggest "reinstall XP", or "repair XP").
Thanks.

 

[Malke]

Hi,

I have partial sound (read on!) on my machine, using Realtek AC'97.
I have had this issue a long time ago, and I think that reinstalling
the WDM drivers solved it. However, it doesn't solve the problem now.

Uninstalling and installing the latest WDM (3.99) doesn't fix this.

As a result, I have the following (odd) behavior:

1. mp3 files play well (!).
2. when opening the "Sounds and Audio Devices", under Control Panel,
under the "Audio" tab, Realtek is listed and selected; under Voice
tab, the "Voice Playback" lists Realtek, but it is not selected.
Selecting it, applying, closing the window and reopening - the Realtek
is still not selected.
3. "Sounds and Audio Devices", Sounds tab, lists the usual "Program
events", but selecting one does not enable the "play" button.
4. Sound in IE is not playing.
5. The "Play volume icon in the taskbar" - does not display the volume
icon in the taskbar.
6. Realtek AC'97 and the rest of the Sound related drivers are listen
under the node "Unknown" in Device Manager. No "Sounds, video and game
controllers" node exists.

I'm certain that this is a device driver issue. But at the moment, I
have no idea how to solve it.

Any ideas? (Please, do not suggest "reinstall XP", or "repair XP").
Thanks.

OK, I won't suggest you "reinstall XP" or "repair XP" - not just because
you don't want to do that but because it would be the wrong advice
anyway. You may be using the wrong drivers or the sound chip (card) is
failing. I don't know anything about your computer (brand, laptop,
desktop, etc.) so I can only give you general advice. First, re the drivers:

Get them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM
computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Get the most recent ones from whichever source above is appropriate in
your case and see if that solves the issue. If it doesn't and you have a
desktop, disable the onboard sound and put in a PCI sound card. You can
buy a basic sound card for under $20 USD.


Malke

 

[SingaporeWebDesign]

Hello,

Try obtaining the latest AC97 driver from here
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#AC
(row 1, any of the last 3 columns)

--
Singapore Website Design
http://www.bootstrike.com/Webdesign/
Singapore Web Hosting
http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/faq.html
Windows XP FAQ

 

[ewolfman]

I have already tried the WDM 399.

 

[ewolfman]

I have already tried the WDM 399.

 

[ewolfman]

I have already tried the WDM 399.

 

[ewolfman]

This is the model and specification of my motherboard:
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/...erboard&ProductID=1684&ProductName=GA-8SG800P

As you can imagine, I've downloaded the audio drivers specified on
this page, and have already tried them.

Regarding you suggestion about purchasing the PCI sound card - prior
to doing so, I'd still like to try and understand what this is all
about.

Any more ideas?

 

[Malke]

I have already tried the WDM 399.

Fine, then since the problem has been going on for a long time you can't
narrow the cause down to anything you recently did. If the drivers
didn't fix the issue, there is a good chance the problem is hardware.
There is no way for people who can't see your machine to tell you
definitively. Putting in an inexpensive sound card is the practical answer.


Malke

 

[Mikhail Zhilin]

Have you installed Chipset driver from the page you mentioned, that is
below Audio driver?

If not -- strangely enough, but that may be a cause.

--
Mikhail Zhilin
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
http://www.aha.ru/~mwz
Sorry, no technical support by e-mail.
Please reply to the newsgroups only.
======

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Any more ideas?

Yeah... you're using up a lot of people's time on a situation that you
can solve by spending 20 bucks on a new card.

Try it.

 

[ewolfman]

You are Grumpy indeed. If this is a waste of time, don't bother
yourself with this thread.

 

[ewolfman]

Thanks Malke.

 

[V Green]

Take a look at this:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1066427444

Has some things you may have not tried yet.