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Audio device cannot start.
So my audio device, SigmaTel C-Major started having some difficulties here a few days ago. I was starting up winamp to listen to some tunes, and nothing happens.
I go into Device Management to find my audio devices stopped, and it says "This device cannot start. Error 10" or something like that. So I try to reinstall the drivers etc. but nothing works, after a few hours of frustration I decide to format my computer (Oblivion is coming out this week, so I can use every bit of power this computer can deliver to me.)
But after installing Windows XP all over, SP2, Notbook System Utility Software, Intel Chipset drivers and the Sigmatel C-Major audio driver, I'm right back where I started. Same error, no sound.
So I have read up on it, and tried about every solution I could find.
I also read something about the modem interfering with the sound card, is this possible to do something with ? Don't know if this is relevant to my computer though.
So, can anyone help me out ? Is my card broken ? Do I have to buy a new sound card ?
My computer is Inspiron 9300, had it for about 3-4 months.
Best regards,
Tom
Norway.
Jim Coates
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Posted March 24th, 2006 10:00
The driver is installing but not staying installed.
6. If the driver won't install, REMOVE the modem and again try installing the driver.
7. In Services (Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services) check that Windows Audio is enabled, set to automatic, and running. Audio won't work without this Service.
8. In Device Manager (Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Computer Management/System Tools/Device Manager/System Devices) check that 'Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator' is installed and running. It will be listed alphabetically if there. If not then you need to reinstall it.
9. Go to Start/Run and type in sndvol32.exe to make sure the system mixer is installed and running. The audio drivers won't stay installed without this application being installed and running correctly.
10. If you have performed an OS reinstallation, install Notebook System Software, Intel Chipset, Video, Audio, Touchpad, then the other drivers in that order.
Jim
Jim Coates
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13582 Posts
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Posted March 20th, 2006 11:00
You would run Dell Diagnostics to answer this. But it is on a seperate partition on the harddrive ... don't know if it was overwritten when you re-installed the OS. If so you can download the Diagnostic.
To run Diagnostics restart, and as soon as it starts to boot up hold down f12. Select 'diagnostic' from the boot menu. It will run some tests for a couple of minutes before the diagnostic comes up. When it does select 'custom', then the audio test. This will test your audio system independently of windows and drivers. Alternate between using headphones and listening to speakers in case only one is working.
If Diagnostics doesn't come up after holding f12, run the Diagnostic from the Drivers and Utilities (Resource) CD if you have one. (Tip from Yves Jean: "if you don't have the diagnostics partition and if its really a hardware problem you can confirm it by running the PSA diagnostics.On the part that says "were color bars displayed?" intentionally fail it by pressing No, If you hear sound from the internal speakers then the sound is definitely working.")
Code 10 suggests that the driver isn't installing correctly. For sure try it without the modem. That suggestion comes from Aussie Chris, a technician who says if the driver installs after removing the modem then the modem might need replacing. Don't know why the modem matters except that on mine it shares the same IRQ with the Sigmatel.
Jim