Realtek AC'97 Driver Problems

[Kelly]

I have an MSI KT4AV MB with onboard Realtek. I have loaded the latest MSI
drivers
and the Realtek website drivers several times and still have the problem.
When I check control panel's sound and audio icon none of my audio devices
are loaded. Everything is grayed out. When I check the device managers
realtek properties it says the audio devices can't be found. I have just
made a fresh new Windows XP Home install. Can one load the devices any
other way except reinstalling the audio driver?

Any help with getting the audio working would be appreciated. Thanx!

 

[Unk]

I have an MSI KT4AV MB with onboard Realtek. I have loaded the latest MSI
drivers
and the Realtek website drivers several times and still have the problem.
When I check control panel's sound and audio icon none of my audio devices
are loaded. Everything is grayed out. When I check the device managers
realtek properties it says the audio devices can't be found. I have just
made a fresh new Windows XP Home install. Can one load the devices any
other way except reinstalling the audio driver?

Any help with getting the audio working would be appreciated. Thanx!

Been here?
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/download/dld/spt_dld_detail.php?UID=456&kind=1

See the section "Realtek ALC Series AC'97 Audio Drivers"

 

[Kelly]

Yep, been there and tried the latest drivers. Thanx!

 

[Unk]

Download the driver from:
http://66.96.84.4/support/dvr_exe/mbd_dvr/Realtek_ALCXXX_I0003.zip
or

<http://www.msi.com.tw/program/suppo...folder=2&kind=1&name=Realtek_ALCXXX_I0003.zip>

Unzip it in a folder by itself. Example: C:\Audio (Makes it easy to point the Wizard to...)
Now read the "README.TXT" and follow the directions "Setup for Manual" exactly!
That will install your drivers.

 

[digisol]

Latest does not mean it's the right one, there are many AC-97 drivers
delete the current and try another version, preferably the one on th
m/b disk

 

[Brian A.]

Please download/run Everest Home Edition(Free):
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads9.html

http://basconotw.mvps.org/dwnlds.htm

Create a new folder named Everest and extract the contents of the download to
that folder.
Open the folder and double-click everest.exe to run the application.

Next:
Click the + next to Computer.
Click Summary.
Right click in the right pane and in the popup menu click "Copy All".
Start a response in this thread.
Right click in the text window and in the popup menu click "Paste".
Send the response.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[DL]

You dont have a bios or mobo jumper to disable onboard sound do you?
In HW devices remove sound devices, re boot and allow win to reinstall

 

[Guest]

Had the same problem. I have an older computer, which was built for me, I
found the driver I needed on an old SystemBoard pc133 installation disk-which
I was told is for the motherboard. Hope this might help-It got my system up
and running.

Bill

 

[Kelly Lyons]

Update - I have trid the other suggestions using my original dirver CD,
verifying my BIOS setting has AC'97 enabled etc. Still when going to the
control panel/Sounds and Audio Devices the deices are still grayed out and I
have no errors showing up in my Hardware Devices page. Below find my
computers summary using the Everest software. Thanx everyone for helping.


Field Value
Computer
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name STUDYPC
User Name Lyons'

Motherboard
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 2083 MHz (13 x 160) 2800+
Motherboard Name MSI KT4AV (MS-6712) (6 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8377A Apollo KT400A
System Memory 1024 MB (PC2700 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (12/01/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display
Video Adapter RADEON 7000 SERIES (64 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 7000 SERIES (64 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI RV100 DDR

Multimedia
Audio Adapter VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller

Storage
IDE Controller VIA Bus Master IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive ST3200822A (200 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Disk Drive ST3250823A (250 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Optical Drive IOMEGA ZIPCD3840INT-A (12x/10x/32x CD-RW)
Optical Drive SONY DVD RW DRU-510A (DVD+RW:4x/4x, DVD-RW:4x/2x, DVD-ROM:8x,
CD:24x/16x/32x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions
C: (NTFS) 238472 MB (233318 MB free)
D: (NTFS) 95872 MB (51945 MB free)
E: (NTFS) 94899 MB (84471 MB free)
Total Size 419.2 GB (361.1 GB free)

Input
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Mouse HID-compliant mouse

Network
Network Adapter VIA Compatable Fast Ethernet Adapter (192.168.0.104)

Peripherals
Printer hp deskjet 5800 series
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB2 Controller VIA USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Device Generic USB Hub
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB2.0 Scanner



Please download/run Everest Home Edition(Free):
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads9.html

http://basconotw.mvps.org/dwnlds.htm

Create a new folder named Everest and extract the contents of the download
to
that folder.
Open the folder and double-click everest.exe to run the application.

Next:
Click the + next to Computer.
Click Summary.
Right click in the right pane and in the popup menu click "Copy All".
Start a response in this thread.
Right click in the text window and in the popup menu click "Paste".
Send the response.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Brian A.]

You can get the drivers for that motherboard/chipset here:
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/driver/dvr/spt_dvr_detail.php?UID=456&kind=1

Get the Realtek ALC Series AC'97 Audio Drivers second up from the bottom. It's a big file weighing in at around 20MB but you should fair well.
Create a new folder on your desktop and extract the files to that folder.
Go to Control Panel >Add/Remove Programs.
Remove any software/firmware/drivers listed for audio.
Close out and reboot to Safe Mode > Device Manager.
Remove any all audio/sound devices listed under Sound, Video and Game controllers.
Close out and reboot.
When prompted, select to search/install from a specific location.
Use the browse button to select the folder you extracted the files into.
Follow the prompts until finished.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[frodo]

for the alc650 chip (5.1), version 3.62 was the "best" overall; starting
w/ 3.63 the environment presets are all overblown, they updated the 3d
engine for the 7.1 chip and messed it up for the 650. Search for
WDM_a362.exe

that said, the latest, 3.85 aught to work too, at least better than what
you're seeing. I'd ask in a group that covers your motherboard.

good luck

 

[Kelly]

Sorry guys, time to throw the box into the ditch. No difference in the
audio!!! This is what I get for putting building a box... need to go get me
a Dell all configured!


You can get the drivers for that motherboard/chipset here:
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/driver/dvr/spt_dvr_detail.php?UID=456&kind=1

Get the Realtek ALC Series AC'97 Audio Drivers second up from the bottom.
It's a big file weighing in at around 20MB but you should fair well.
Create a new folder on your desktop and extract the files to that folder.
Go to Control Panel >Add/Remove Programs.
Remove any software/firmware/drivers listed for audio.
Close out and reboot to Safe Mode > Device Manager.
Remove any all audio/sound devices listed under Sound, Video and Game
controllers.
Close out and reboot.
When prompted, select to search/install from a specific location.
Use the browse button to select the folder you extracted the files into.
Follow the prompts until finished.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Brian A.]

Remove all the drivers again for the Audio.
Boot to Safe Mode.
Open either MyComputer or Explorer.
Expand the tree to c:\documents and settings\your profile name folder\local settings\temp.
Delete everything in the temp folder.
Expand to c:\windows\prefetch.
Delete everything in the prefetch folder.
Close out, reboot and reinstall the drivers.
Empty the trash.

If no joy:

Purchase a new sound card.
Uninstall any present audio devices/drivers.
Boot to Safe Mode.
Open either MyComputer or Explorer.
Expand the tree to c:\documents and settings\your profile name folder\local settings\temp.
Delete everything in the temp folder.
Expand to c:\windows\prefetch.
Delete everything in the prefetch folder.
Install the new card.
Boot and install the drivers.
Empty the trash.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Brian A.]

I goofed on the last one.
Remove all the drivers again for the Audio.
Boot to Safe Mode.
Open either MyComputer or Explorer.
Expand the tree to c:\documents and settings\your profile name folder\local settings\temp.
Delete everything in the temp folder.
Expand to c:\windows\prefetch.
Delete everything in the prefetch folder.
Close out, reboot and reinstall the drivers.
Empty the trash.

If no joy:

Purchase a new sound card.
Uninstall any present audio devices/drivers.
Boot to Safe Mode.
Open either MyComputer or Explorer.
Expand the tree to c:\documents and settings\your profile name folder\local settings\temp.
Delete everything in the temp folder.
Expand to c:\windows\prefetch.
Delete everything in the prefetch folder.
Install the new card.
Boot to the BIOS and disable AC'97.
Save, reboot and install the drivers.
Empty the trash.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Philip Andrews]

Hello Kelly,

Sorry guys, time to throw the box into the ditch. No difference in the
audio!!! This is what I get for putting building a box... need to go get
me a Dell all configured!

Fair comment - but from all that's been written, I get the idea that
what we have here is a brand-new PC, freshly built, that won't allow you to
get access to the onboard sound. Can you confirm this one way or the other?

If that's so, and if the BIOS settings are all correct, and if the
correct motherboard drivers have been loaded, and if the Windows XP's
installation disk's Service Pack 2 element hasn't blocked things because
it's still of questionable correctness at the moment, then the only thing
left might be - a faulty motherboard. I realise that it might seem to be
adding grief to grief - but in your place I'd return the motherboard for
test to wherever it came from, stating your reasons for doing so, and see
what the supplier can make of it. In fact, why not contact them first and
ask them for help - or have you tried that already?

If you used anti-static equipment for the build (i.e. a grounded mat and
a wrist-strap tying you to it, so as not to shock the guts of the PC to
death with static electricity from your hands when you handled it all), and
if the mainboard's supplier is reputable, they should be happy enough to do
that - at the annoying but small cost of a few more days' lost time. In
return for that delay, you should get a comprehensible answer one way or the
other, that (for me at least, in your place) would take the edge off the
annoyance of having seemed to have failed - and a replacement board with
sound if the old one proves to have been faulty.

Sometimes you can't always win - I had a Soltek board that showed the
same problem some time ago (running under 98SE), and I got nowhere with it.
I fitted a Soundblaster card to it in the end to resolve the problem. I
retired it recently (it's in a dedicated test PC now) and loaded XP Pro, the
same m-b drivers and XP SP2 (from a separate disk) to a clean hard-drive to
run it, the onboard sound worked once again (and still does). Whatever the
problem that time, it probably wasn't faulty hardware - far more likely to
be drivers, and the possibility that the Soltek mainboard wasn't really
designed to be run under 98SE anyway (which again is a 'drivers' issue).

Nothing wrong with Dell PCs, BTW - it just depends on what you want and
need )

Best of luck -

Philip Andrews

 

[Kelly]

Sorry for the negative frustrated attitude, just had to let it set for a day
or two. The MB is a little over a year old and I didn't have this problem
until I upgraded to SP2. Worked fine until then.

I'll try Brian's latest suggestion and keep my fingers crossed. I'll let
everyone know what worked if I get lucky... or just may have to disable the
onboard chip and get a sound card! Thanx again for the help.

Kelly

 

[Philip Andrews]

Hi Kelly,

Sorry for the negative frustrated attitude, just had to let it set for a
day or two. The MB is a little over a year old and I didn't have this
problem until I upgraded to SP2. Worked fine until then.

Hah!! Yet another SP2 issue by the sound of it ... can you uninstall SP2
and see whether the sound returns? Or better still - put "Windows XP SP2
sound issues" into Google first, and read all about what various other
people have found and documented. There are 65 pages of links underneath
that search, which suggests that Microsoft may well have stepped on its hat
yet again. This one - "Windows XP SP2 sound issues with MSI boards" - lists
54 pages of links.

Sorry I can't be more specific on which pages to look at - but in your place
I'd look at most if not all, and then post the problem resolution here to
edify us all. You could also contact Microsoft (by email) and ask them about
known issues between SP2 and your brand of motherboard - they may have had
to field this sort of query before, and posted the results on a forum
somewhere.

Your best first bet, though, might be to to try the m-b's makers with
the same question - because MSI are quite good, and so is their website. I
discovered that going to this
http://msicomputer.co.uk/products.aspx?product_id=703424 link directly shows
your KT4AV-L motherboard details, and that this
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/driver/dvr/spt_dvr_detail.php?UID=456&kind=1
link lists the latest KT4AV-L m-b drivers. Try their Tech Support link too -
but note that their Forum server is down for some reason until the end of
the week.

I'll try Brian's latest suggestion and keep my fingers crossed. I'll let
everyone know what worked if I get lucky... or just may have to disable
the onboard chip and get a sound card! Thanx again for the help.

Good luck - don't let SP2's shortcomings beat you.

Regards,

Philip

 

[Kelly]

Well I gave up and went a bought another sound card... and it didn't work
either! So before I took a sledge hammer to the box I reinstalled windows.
Now both audio devices work!!! Must have had a bad install. If only I had
considered doing a reinstall earlier. Thanks everyone for the help.

Kelly