No sound device on Inspiron 1300

The best way to re-install Windows is to use the PC Restore image if you have the original hard drive. When you install from a disc you have to install the drivers in the specified sequence. So after you have performed an Operating System re-installation, install in this order:

a. Dell Notebook System Software (on your downloads page expand the System Utilities category). Restart.

b. Next install the Intel Mobile Chipset software (expand the Chipset category). This lets the system recognize the audio chip on the motherboard Restart.

c. Install the drivers including the Sigmatel audio driver (expand the Audio category).

Get these from the 1300 driver downloads page.


Notes:

On the downloads page you will see the terms "optional" and "recommended". These terms are guidelines for when you are updatng a driver. They do not apply to a situation where you are installing drivers after a fresh Windows installation. 


Sometimes there will still be a problem with the installation at this point (in XP). In that event check in the Device Manager for a "PCI Device" with a yellow question mark next to it. Hit 'update driver' on it and browse to the driver folder on the hard drive  c:\Dell\Drivers\R171789\WDM. (XP only)

Windows XP SP1 should be upgraded to SP2 before installing the audio driver.

SP 2 may require that the UAA hotfix be installed. Get it from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888111

It is sometimes easier to get the driver to install in SP2 than in SP3.


If you have the original XP reinstallation disc and the drivers utility disc, I would install from those instead of downloading, because those will have the same configuration combination that is known to work on your computer (the same configuration that was on the computer when it was new) then after the audio is working you can go online to update the drivers if necessary.

There are other reasons why a Sigmatel driver can fail to install, both hardware and software reasons, besides the order of driver installation.