HELP PLEASE inspiron 1521 runing XP no sound

The problem is that Dell does not fully support XP on your model. Here is what Dell says about that situation.

 

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Dell supports and provides drivers only for operating systems installed in the factory and only for Dell-branded, warranty-replaced, or factory-installed hardware. For example, computers that have Microsoft® Windows Vista® as the only factory-installed operating system will only have Windows Vista drivers available for download from the Dell's Drivers and Downloads website. 

You can check the component manufacturer's website for drivers that work with other operating systems. Dell may only provide a Windows Vista-compatible driver for the video card, but the manufacturer of that card could have drivers available for Windows Vista, Windows® XP, or Linux®. 

 

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One of the problems with that is that the audio system in your computer is based on a Sigmatel 92xxHD audio chip, but IDT which makes Sigmatel does not provide drivers directly to consumers. What you have to do is use drivers from other Dell laptops. Reportedly the Latitude D531 XP drivers can be used for the 1521:

 

D531 XP drivers downloads page

There is an order of installation that must be followed or else the audio driver will not install.

 

a. Install Dell Notebook System Software (click the + sign next to System Utilities). Restart.

b. Next and most important, install the AMD Processor Driver driver (click the + sign next to Chipset). Restart.

 

c. Install the SMBus/Chipset Driver.

 

d. Optionally install video driver.

 

e. Optionally install Network Interface Card.

 

f. Finally re-install the Sigmatel audio driver R171789 (click the + sign next to Audio). If that driver doesn't work then try the older R153908 Sigmatel driver.

 
Jim

 

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Note: a poster who installed the Sigmatel R153908 driver on a different model laptop wrote "After reloading XP on this computer, I initially couldn't get the SigmaTel audio to work.  The problem is with the Windows Audio service.  After you install the latest audio driver (R153908) and run it, don't immediately restart.  Go into the c:\dell\drivers\r153908\wdm directory and run suhlp.exe.  Then your SigmaTel audio will be detected and run properly." quandtj D830

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Someone else used the D531 drivers and wrote back:

the drivers at the link you posted "R153908" worked perfectly for the Inspiron 1521 with XP.  Also, the D531 XP drivers for Conexant HDA modem and SM Bus were the only ones that worked for me as well. 

 

 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW THANCKS  MAN   A LOOT

Wooooooow man it works thanks a lot. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate yours help. All the best to you and thanks again.