Sound Card not detected

[Sorgoth]

I just downloaded Windows XP onto my computer, and now it tells me that there is no sound card detected.

The sound was working fine on 98SE.

Anyone know what could be wrong? I've been told that there might be a problem in BIOS, but they cannot tell me more than that. Help?

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

The drivers used for Win98 are often no good in WinXP. You will need to determine what your sound card is and find updated drivers for it. You may be able to tell by using Device Manager to see if it lists the type of sound card there. If it doesn't there are other ways to find out. If it is a brand name computer, post back with model name/numbers and we may be able to tell you where to find the drivers....

[Sorgoth]

Would a sound card have a name like MPU-401 Compatible MIDI device?


Update: I think I may have found the problem.
In the Device Manager, listed under Other Devices, is something called
Multimedia Audio Controller(it has a question mark beside it). When I check out what it is, it is enabled, but it says the drivers are not installed. When I click Reinstall Driver, it searches for a bit then tells me it cannot find the necessary software.

Uh...what do I do? I'm pretty sure I've never had a CD for downloading sound drivers.

[Deagle]

Do you have an actual sound card or it is onboard sound? If it's a stand alone card, try taking it out and install it again, maybe windoze will load some generic drivers for it.

[Paul Komski]

You will need to obtain the specific WinXP drivers.

If the card is a physical card which plugs into a PCI slot you will need to identify the card and then download the XP drivers from the card manufacturer's website.

If the "card" is on-board then you will need to identify the motherboard and then download the XP sound drivers for the motherboard.

If this is a proprietary PC (Compaq, HP, etc) then the source would be the PC makers website.

If you have a support CD for the mobo or sound card then the drivers should be on it.

[Sorgoth]

How do I identify my sound card?

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Wouldn't you think it's the one with the speaker jacks on it? Are they aligned vertically or horizontal?

You haven't answered multiple questions as to whether it is onboard or an add-on soundcard.

If it is onboard, it is determined by the model of motherboard. If it is an add-on, there should be a silkscreened print of the model number painted onto the card itself. You'll need to take it out to read it if so.

Please, next post, try to give us something more to go on other than just another question. Not all of us are psychic here... :rolleyes:

[Sorgoth]

The reason I haven't answered the questions is because I didn't know.

However, I have found my sound card.

To take it out, do I just...pull? I'm afraid of breaking something.

[Budfred]

You have to remove the screw that holds it in place and then gently, but firmly pull straight up. You can push on the outside part at the same time you pull up on the back end. They are made to put in and take out, so it is unlikely you will damage it if you are careful. Even if you did, a replacement is not hugely expensive....:)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Disconnect the AC power!

I usually reach around and pull towards me in the crevice of the bent section of the rear plate on the card with a short screwdriver to get it to come free initially then just grab the whole card with fingers and pull it out the rest of the way.

But I rarely lay the pc's on their side so this works for me. If the card is stubborn, well, I have a stubborn head. So I use it against the case. :D

Once you have it out, there's 3 things to look for. The make and model as one, the fcc number, and if that doesn't do it, the numbers on the 2 largest chips themselves.

But we still need more info on your pc so we will know what card it may be and/or what card is compatible if in need of a replacement.

So, like the robot in 'Short Circuit' said, we still "Need more input" from you.

How about running Belarc Advisor (www.belarc.com/) so we have a better clue? Read through it and let us know what the components are. Not all your software or key code, just the mobo and other add-ons.

[Sorgoth]

Ok, some comp stuff (Thanks Fruss for the link)

Operating System
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1 (build 2600)

System Model
VIA Technologies, Inc. VT8367-8233

Processor a
1.73 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Display
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400 [Display adapter]
Default Monitor

Multimedia
MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
Standard Game Port

Other Devices
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Generic USB Hub
Unknown Device
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub


Anything else you need to know?

Budfred: Pull up when the computer is one its side? And...I'm having trouble ascertaining what I should unscrew.

[Budfred]

Budfred: Pull up when the computer is one its side? And...I'm having trouble ascertaining what I should unscrew.

It depends on whether you have a tower or a flat desktop computer. If it is a tower, then yes, on its side... Where the card has its plugs for plugging in the speakers, it is usually screwed into the frame of the case. This is if it is a PCI card. I am beginning to suspect that it is actually onboard sound since that is more common these days and people who have sound cards usually know it because they installed it or bought a computer customized to have it. If it is onboard, you will not be able to pull it to check because it is part of the motherboard.

[Sorgoth]

It is a tower computer.

I am beginning to think that it IS an onboard computer...the card that I thought was my sound card is actually my Ethernet card...I think.

If it is part of my motherboard, then what can I do?

[Sylvander]

Go find your PC's documentation.
Particularly the motherboard manual.
If you have onboard sound, the details of the sound provision should be included in the manual.

[Paul Komski]

Scroll down to Audio Panel (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25502) to see what the connectors look like. If they are soldered to the mobo then they are "on board".

[Sorgoth]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's onboard. I was looking inside my computer, and the speaker wire plugs into a small yellow box that is connected to the motherboard.