Audio Codec error 10

Question

Hi all. So, I have an issue with my Dell 5100 series computer.  I got annihilated by some Trojan viruses a while back, so had to et my computer wiped. I subsequently reinstalled all the software packages, drivers etc, only to be confronted with the issue that my speakers refused to work. Upon further investigation I found that my IDT High Definition Audio Codec had a yellow exclamation mark next to it in the device manager, as did the Codec Audio Bus. The error code was 10 - this device isnt working properly. So, like a good little google user I just typed the error into google and followed all the threads that came up. But now I am stuck, angry (but that is only a cover for the hurt on the inside) and unable to solve the problem. That is why I have come to you guys. Let me tell you what I have done so far.: Uninstalled both the High definition audio codec and the Audio Codec Bus, and then reinstalled them. Nothing changed. Then I went to to the Dell website and downloaded not only the new audio driver, but also the chipset drivers, as I read that they were important to install before the audio drivers. And yes, I did uninstall the audio codec stuff before I installed the updates. Nothing happened. I went to the setup page by pressing F2 during computer startup and turned the automatic audio stuff to off. That didnt help either. It is now back on 'on'. I have tried to download numerous other drivers from SigmaTel, C-net solutions etc. Nothing happened. This is the point at which to say, I know next to nothing about computers, I dont fully understand what I am doing, but I am following the instruction that have helped other people out of the same mess that I am in to the letter, but still nothing! If you could help that would be sweet. Cheers JC

fireberd · Answer

Using anything except the Dell sound drivers can (and will) either not work at all or not work properly. As you mentined the IDT drivers, they are much newer than the older Dell SigmaTel (IDT is the company that bought SigmaTel) and usually do not work properly.

I suspect you will have to do another reinstall and use the correct Dell SigmaTel driver and the correct install sequence. Having installed or tried to install all the other sound drivers probably has corrupted the system.

Many Dell's (I have an E510/5150) came with a Dell recovery partition on the hard drive, accessed by CTRL/F11 at power on. If yours has this, you can completely restore the PC to the original factory condition (no discs are needed) which install all the proper device drivers. If yours does not have this or it has been corrupted or deleted you will have to do a manual reinstall. The correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop System Software (3) Instal Intel Chipset (4) Install Device drivers including the Dell SigmaTel sound driver, video, ethernet, etc.

JCsquared · Answer

Hi Fireberd,

Thanks for the info. My Dell doesnt have the Cntrl/F11 function for some reason so that way is out of the question.

Regarding the uninstall and reinstall - the disks I require for those have long gone. THe computer was bought as a group of three, and each was uploaded with all the relevant software/drivers etc from a single disk. I have absolutely no idea where they are now.

Could I re-purchase them? Or would I have to re-register the computer with a completely new set-up start?

Thanks again for your help,

JC

fireberd · Answer

If you are the registered with Dell owner, they have a procedure to get a set of discs. HERE If you do not qualify you will have to buy a (legal) copy of Windows. You can download any needed drivers from the Dell downloads. http://support.dell.com/

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