No Sound, Can't Update Drivers

Question

I've got two more Vista problems, this after a clean install and it's getting irritating. 1) I can't get the laptop to make any sound from the internal speaker. I know it is working since when I play sounds in certain applications I can see the sound meter working. Installing the updated driver and software for the webcam it DID make sounds using the speaker. However, if you use Windows Media Player to play MP3 files you get nothing from the internal speaker, same with any Windows system sound file. In the Sound control panel I have two sets of 'high definition audio device' for speakers, the top one is 'not plugged in' and the middle one is 'plugged in.' I can't figure this bit of genius out. 2) I tried to install nVidia's video card update for the GoForce 7400 in this laptop. I got 'windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.' I can't do anything to correct this. There is only one account on my machine so I am the admin. Tried running it as admin, no luck. Tried to turn off security in the properties and general panel and I see nothing wrong or limiting me there or in any tab in properties. Vista is irritating beyond belief.

mikewex · Answer

1) Sound problem fixed. This makes no sense - I looked in the sounds control panel and noticed that SPDIF output had someone been the default. That did work for sound when using the webcam. I put it at speakers. Unfortunately only one set of headphone jacks work (the left one) and not both. Apparently you can enable one or the other, but not both at the same time. (2) The 'windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.' still prevents me from launching the nVidia driver updates for the GoForce 7400.

penguinspenguin · Answer

Right click on the file and select run as administrator perhaps?   Make sure you're downloading the version from Dell, others may not work

mikewex · Answer

Thanks but already tried that. Vista is driving me crazy with the insane amount of security and dialog boxes I need to close and it won't let me run files like this. Didn't work even as admin. I need to install the GoForce 7400 update because Vista is giving me a lot of draw errors like seeing IE windows through Outlook, etc.

penguinspenguin · Answer

You'd be best off trying to fix the problems with the Dell drivers. 3rd-party drivers aren't certified and most of the time won't install.

Windows General

No Sound, Can't Update Drivers

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