Audio drivers for my Dimension E310

Sounds like you skipped the Intel motherboard chipset drivers (an often skipped item) and they MUST be installed BEFORE installing the sound.  The chipset drivers are key to a successful install as one of the main things they do is define (identify) all the devices on the motherboard.

On an install the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop System Software (on applicable models), (3) Install chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers including sound, video, ethernet, etc.

Usually, if the chipset drivers have been skipped you can install them, restart the PC and then install the sound drivers (in your case the SigmaTel drivers).  In a few isolated cases it will take a new and correct install sequence to get everything working.

We are just users on here and referring to the Dell driver "R" number doesn't help us without a lot of research, as they are not listed that way on the Dell downloads.

Yes to the Video and Ethernet drivers. 

However, since the chipset and sound drivers did not fix the sound problem it would appear the entire install may be the problem and a new correct sequence install may be needed to get things going. 

 I just reinstalled the chipset and audio driver. No result. Do I need to install the video and ethernet drivers too?

The chipset driver must be installed first.  There is no "correct" sequence for the other drivers.  I think Dell says install video then sound then other devices such as ethernet. 

THIS is the Dell install instructions.

HERE is the Dell downloads for the E310  the Intel Pro/100 ethernet drivers are listed in the Network section.  The Dell Drivers and Utilities disc that came with the PC has all of these on it.

I could not locate the ethernet driver. Can you please tell me where to find it and also you have indicated I need to install them in the corret order. What is the correct order and how many drivers do I need. I have chipset, audio and seven video drivers so far.

I was looking into getting sound back on my Dell Dimension E310 and I ran across the advice you gave the person who was looking to do the same. You seemed very knowledgeable , however I am not. At least not when it comes to computers.

My situation is a bit different in that I bought the computer used from a repair shop in town  and the software did not come with it.  When I brought it home it was fine. I have had it several months. My daughter who fancies herself a genius was cleaning it up for me and uninstalled my sound.  I ran a diagnostic test on in. I have paid for a driver update service.(which I sorely resent) When I go to  sound device properties it reads that I do not have a device.  Where can I find the sound card or whatever it is called to reinstall?

I have an odd variant:  
    My Audacity (audio recording) program stopped being able to play files. The error message is:  “Error while opening sound device. Please check the playback device settings and the project sample rate.”
    The Device Volume part of the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties was grayed out.  
    HOWEVER, other sources of sound do play  (i.e., my speakers will play sound from CD’s and alert sounds from my email program etc.)  
    I tried to reinstall any drivers from my Dell Resource CD.   The Audio Driver is described as: “Sigmatel STAC92XX C-Major HD Audio Driver”.  (SigmaTel = same one you allude to).  BUT I have no idea whether this is the one that was missing;  and
    and, even though SigmaTel Audio then appeared in the Sound tab, Playback drop-down, (and I selected it as “default device”, and it then appeared in the Volume tab and not grayed out), Audacity continued to not make sound (and brought the same error message). 
    SO, I don’t know whether SigmaTel is the missing driver or missing playback device;  (if it wasn’t, then it’s not surprising that installing it wouldn’t solve the problem).  
     (Note:   My other computer [laptop] has “Realtek HD Audio” as its Sound Device.  I don’t remember whether that was the same one on my desktop.)

    Note:   I have already:  – uninstalled and re-installed Audacity (no change). 
    Any ideas?  
    Jonathan

Note:  I have a Dell Dimension E310 desktop, with Windows XP SP3.

Update:  

Now nothing is playing.  I.e., CD's no longer make a sound on my speakers.  :emotion-6:
(I noticed this after changing some settings in Audacity based on a suggestion on Audacity's forum, but that might not be the cause.)  Indeed, since there's no sound from any program, more likely something's wrong with the computer (device, or driver, . . .) not simply Audacity.

See my original comments, previous post.  Thanks,  J

I'd suggest upgrading to a newer version of Windows, considering that support for XP has ended. I have 8.1 32-bit installed on my E310.