C521 Integrated Audio

Question

Formatted hard drive. Loaded WinXP SP2. Downloaded drivers from Dell support website. Installed software file R126968, Integrated Audigy Invitation, still have no sound.  Mixer icon in bottom right-hand corner. When I click on it, it states'There is no hardware to support this application'. When I try to go to the Volume Control panel, it states there are no devices installed. This is the SECOND instance of the Dell drivers NOT being complete for my product...the video file GeForce 6150LE is also missing a part of the file...I still have an unknown PCI device, which is labelled DELL, but no other information is given. Online with Dell Connect , he also saw me re-install the driver file, with the same result. POOR PRODUCT SUPPORT to say the least.

fireberd · Answer

I looked at the Dell Downloads for this model. There are two 'chipset' drivers listed for the AMD processor and Nvidia(video). Not sure if that is your problem or not. In the Intel based system the Dell chipset drivers must be installed before installing devices such as the sound.

holzer100 · Answer

Yes, both of those chipset drivers were installed. This was all part of the Dell Connect experience. It's simply a shame that Dell is so big, they 'refuse' to admit there driver files are incomplete for particular operating systems. They'd rather have you chase your tail on other useless 'diagnostic' checks, just to get you off the line.

holzer100 · Answer

The Diagnostic partition was deleted at format time. HOWEVER, where's the logic that shows that this partition must be on the hard drive in order for hardware devices to run properly? It's supposed to be a diagnostic / restore feature only. The information should never be a part of the true operating system, and should not be a requirement for drivers to function as intended. This is a relatively new motherboard setup, in fact the BIOS was dated 2 days before the system actually arrived at my house!! I just feel the integrated audio and video chips have not been fully settled for all environments.

fireberd · Answer

On many newer Dell's (my E510 has it) there is a restore partition that you can completely reinstall back to the original power up point. I think it's F11 at boot up. Do you have that or still have it after the format? Some, when they reformat the hard drive delete the reinstall partition and that can mean problems doing a reinstall from the OS and drivers.

fireberd · Answer

I don't mean to be a 'wise guy' and would help if I could. However, deleting that partition, would seem to be a bad move. Most modern hard drives are large enough that the amount of space the partition takes up is really not an issue. I do PC repair and if I'm reinstalling the system for a customer I go for the restore partition first (Gateway and HP have the same thing)if it's a full restore as there are some applications that can't be reinstalled without it. I agree that the customer, or customer's tech, should be able to do a full restore without the partition, but....

holzer100 · Answer

Just to let you know, the problem turnind out to be the wrong driver file completely. My packing list showed 'integrated Audigy ', but the online user's manual says that C521's are built with 'Sigmatel' audio chips. Once the Sigmatel was downloaded and installed, all was well. My original thoughts of the Fat16 partition NOT being the cause are still 100% true. That partition is never accessed by the Windows operating system. It would only be used duing boot if necessary.

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C521 Integrated Audio

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