Win XP,Media Center Edition, ver 2002, sp3 -- I've run all the diagnostics a number of times and no errors are received.

Hi littleneil,

Welcome to the Community.

Please let me know the operating system installed on the system so that I can help you in a better way.

Meanwhile, I would suggest you to run diagnostics on the computer which will isolate the issue.

Unplug the power cable. Press and hold power button for 10 seconds. Plugin the power cable and turn on the system. Tap F12 key to access One Time Boot Menu. Highlight Boot to Utility Partition and hit Enter to start the diagnostics.

http://dell.to/12IFoz8

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

Use an Air duster inside your case, there might be dust there and could be the sound problem you have.

Hi littleneil,

Thank you for the reply.

I would suggest you to uninstall the audio drivers and restart the system. Please remove the drivers mentioned below which need to be removed from Add/Remove programs option in control panel.

Once the drivers are removed, restart the system. Update the BIOS and install the driver by clicking the link mentioned below:

BIOS: http://dell.to/13SGwRm

NOTE: Ensure that the system does not turn off during the BIOS update.

Restart the system.

Audio driver: http://dell.to/12OFgQ6

Restart the system.

If the issue persists, perform symptom test on sound using Dell PC Diagnostics. Click the link mentioned below to download the application:

http://dell.to/We70YO

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

As I have indicated in my earlier posts, all of these steps have been taken without favorable results. In addition the audio driver you recommended will not install - saying it is not the correct driver for my system. I think this hopeless and I will try a new sound card in the PC and see if that makes a difference.

OK thanks I'll try it.

Chipset Driver is required before PCI enumeration works.

Chipset - Driver

Description	Importance	Version	Released	Supported OS	Download
Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, v.8.1.1.1010, A01 Software support for Intel Chipsets.	Recommended	8.1.1.1010	1/22/2007	Windows Vista 64-bit Windows Vista 32-bit
Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, v.7.2.2.1006, A13 Software support for Intel Chipsets.	Urgent	7.2.2.1006	4/14/2006	Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows XP x64

Try this Audio - Driver  R171789.exe

Description	Importance	Version	Released	Supported OS	Download
SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio, v.6.10.0.5614, A09 SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio, v.6.10.0.5614, A09	Recommended	6.10.0.5614	1/16/2008	Windows Vista 64-bit Windows Vista 32-bit
SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio, v.5.10.0.5515_RC22-WHQL, A11 SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio, v.5.10.0.5515_RC22-WHQL, A11	Not Defined	5.10.0.5515	12/4/2007	Windows XP Windows 2000 Windows XP x64

As I have indicated in my earlier posts, all of these steps have been taken without favorable results. In addition the audio driver you recommended will not install - saying it is not the correct driver for my system. I think this hopeless and I will try a new sound card in the PC and see if that makes a difference.

I installed Windows 8 on the Dimension 3100 and the onboard sound driver was installed automatically. The onboard video isn't recognized, thought, so you'd have to install a video card.

That will work and be a slightly better fit, for an additional $40.

The Startech bracket plus a regular 6450 card is $60.