No sound after reformat

[paul1961]

Reformatted the other day. Everything seems OK except I have no sound
whatsoever. I have a dell dimension 3000 XP. When I go into Device Manager
there are some yellow Question Marks next to the 'Other Devices'. Namely.
1. Ethernet controller(though I could not connect my modem via Ethernet when
i tried months ago so perhaps that's why?)
2.Multimedia Audio Controller.
3. PCI Modem (which I presume onl;y apples to dial up)

I am guessing that No 2 would be the sound? I did save all my drivers with
something called 'Drivermax' but haven't a clue what driver is what when I
look in the saved folder. Is there a simple way of identifyind and
downloading the required driver(s)? Many thanks.

 

[Nepatsfan]

Reformatted the other day. Everything seems OK except I have no sound
whatsoever. I have a dell dimension 3000 XP. When I go into Device Manager
there are some yellow Question Marks next to the 'Other Devices'. Namely.
1. Ethernet controller(though I could not connect my modem via Ethernet when
i tried months ago so perhaps that's why?)
2.Multimedia Audio Controller.
3. PCI Modem (which I presume onl;y apples to dial up)

I am guessing that No 2 would be the sound? I did save all my drivers with
something called 'Drivermax' but haven't a clue what driver is what when I
look in the saved folder. Is there a simple way of identifyind and
downloading the required driver(s)? Many thanks.

Look on the back of your computer for a sticker with a bar code and a 7
character alphanumeric code. This is your system's service tag. Go to this web
site, enter the service tag, and download the latest drivers for the missing
hardware devices.

Drivers and Downloads
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen

At the very least you want to get the drivers for audio, chipset, communication
(modem), network, and video.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

How did you do this "reformat"? Did you use the hidden Recovery partition
or the Dell CDs?

 

[paul1961]

I used the Dell reinstallation CD and wiped evrything clean. Everything is
working OK except the sound. I went onto the Dell site but wasn't sure which
drivers to load.

 

[Nepatsfan]

Start with these.

Audio

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=3&fileid=122481

Chipset

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=27&fileid=70069

Network Adapter

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=103900

You may have received a Resources CD along with the Dell installation CD. Use
that CD to install the drivers for your modem and display adapter. If you don't
have the Resources CD and want additional help, post a response to this message
which includes the Service Tag for your Dell.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Assuming you never installed new hardware, install the drivers found on the
Dell Drivers CD.

 

[paul1961]

Thanks Bear and Nepatsfan. I did have a resources Disk which I installed
yesterday but obviously still didn't any sound.

The only disk that I did not reinstall says 'for reinstalllingV.9X
(capable)/56K Data/Fax Modem software for Windows'. It does list, 'drivers
-diagnostics and utilities-modem on hold-documentation' on the disk. I
assumed this disk was only for dial up. Perhaps i should install that if you
think that has anything to do with the sound?

Otherwise I will try Nepatsfan's list of drivers. I will let you know how it
goes-and post a service tag if i still haven't got sound. Thanks for the help.

 

[paul1961]

Nepatspan. I have lift off ! I loaded the first two drivers on your list and
after the chipset driver the sound came through. At this point I looked in on
Device Manager and on the Network Adapter section I have no indication of a
problem. It lists an MT882 device (My Talk Talk modem)and drivers seem to be
loaded. I don't want to tempt fate so was wondering whether to leave the 3rd
Driver alone?

I would add, that listed under 'other devices' by 'Ethernet controller' and
'PCI modem', I still have 2 big yellow question Marks. Is this important? I
did wonder whether the ethernet controller issue would prevent me connecting
my broadband via ethernet. I could not do so when i purchased it so it is
connected via USB. Will await your first class advice. Thanks.

 

[Nepatsfan]

'Ethernet controller' and 'Network adapter' are different terms used to describe
the same device. With that in mind, if you install the third driver I listed
earlier, you should see the listing of Ethernet controller under Other devices
disappear and be replaced with an entry under Network Adapters in Device
Manager. Once again, here's the driver for your 'Ethernet controller'.

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=103900

You should now be able to access the internet through an ethernet cable.

As for the yellow question mark next to PCI modem, the easiest way to deal with
this issue would be to use the CD you have 'for reinstalllingV.9X (capable)/56K
Data/Fax Modem software for Windows'. Since you're not using dial-up, this isn't
a crucial issue but you never know if you might need to use it sometime in the
future. If it were me, I'd go ahead and install it.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[paul1961]

Nepatsfan. Thanks for your help. I dowloaded the ethernet and may try
re-installing
my modem via ethernet cable at some point. everything working fine. Cheers.

 

[Nepatsfan]

You're welcome.

Nepatsfan

Nepatsfan. Thanks for your help. I dowloaded the ethernet and may try
re-installing
my modem via ethernet cable at some point. everything working fine. Cheers.