Intel 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller won't start

Question

Hello,

I recently installed Windows XP Pro on my Dell Inspiron 2500 notebook (with Intel Inside Pentium III). My computer used to be able to play music; now it doesn't play any sounds at all! Itunes looks like it's playing songs just fine - It's just that nothing comes out of the built-in notebook speakers.

When I go to Sounds and Audio Devices in the Control Panel, then click on Intel 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller, it says:

Device Properties
Manufacturer: Intel
Location: PCI bus 0, device 31, function 5
Device status: This device cannot start (Code 10).

[end error message]

Now the device is "enabled," but still not working properly. I tried to use the Hardware Update Wizard to "update the driver" using the Dell software CD I got with my computer. But it says that the "Wizard could not find a better match for your hardware than the software you currently have installed." I also tried the MS Windows website, the Dell website, and the Intel website trying to find updates to this driver. Unfortunately I've had no luck at all. I tried emailing Intel but got an irrelevant autoreply.

Might anyone out there know what's going on? Again, I'm trying to get my "Intel 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller" working for my Windows XP.

Thanks so much.

dj_cool · Answer

The sound card that you have on the system is an old one from Sigmatel and unfortunately Dell doesn't supply drivers for this sound card that are compatible with Windows XP. (I presume the system came with another Operating System.) The only drivers available for this card are for Miellenium and 2000 which are available at http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R25099&SystemID=INS_PNT_CEL_P3CG_2500&category=0&os=WME&osl=en&deviceid=983&devlib=3&fileid=26494   Try these but chances are slim. If the laptop came with Windows XP loaded, then the issue may come up if you don't do a clean install and do an upgrade.

mister.darcy · Answer

Thanks very much, dj cool. I gave it a try but like you said, it was a longshot, and it didn't work. I guess the only way to get sound back would be to install Windows 2000 instead of XP... :(

But thanks for your kind assistance.

Phatkid05 · Answer

Hello again,

I am posting back that I got mine fixed, what I did was when windows was up, I went to device manager and uninstalled the Crystal Audo Codec A.K.A. the Intel 82801 BA etc. Then I let windows restart and find the device to it's little thing and install it, and now it works just fine, it enables so far ever time I reboot. Sad part is after I did that it found my modem and now it is having problems. I sware it never ends.

Phatkid05 · Answer

Hello,   I wanted to post that I had this problem, I went to the downloads section of support and got the original drivers and installed them. It now shows up as Crystal WDM Audio Codec, but it still won't start.  I can disable it, then re-enable it and it works like brand new. Can anyone explain that one to me? lol   Thanks

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Intel 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller won't start

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