Sounds like contaminated install.

I installed XP SP2 on mine and it "found" all devices including the Maestro 2 PCI sound.

You could try Unistalling the ESS drivers and then removing the unknown devices in xp via the device manager and then downloading the 270 meg XP sp2 for mutliple computers.

I would recommend doing it that way.

Thanks a lot. Unfortunaltely I do only have dial up. Is there any way you could direct me to a link to download your driver? Looking into my System information I also notices something strange: My sound device is a "Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device". Can that be correct? Thanks again for helping me out!!!

OK upated with SP2 but still no sound. Would you mind to tell me how you have set up your Inspiron? Maybe I can just apply your configuration to my laptop? I am really running out of ideas...