Model of PC?

Roll the driver back to the XP version, this is a known problem for Vista upgrades.

I had the same problem (XPS410) here's what I did to fix: Went to control panel then devices and uninstalled the sigmatel driver and also checked the box to remove the software. Then I downloaded the new driver from the Dell support site for Vista. Problem fixed.

Thanks for the quick feedback. I have an XPS/Dimension 410/9200.

 

I've uninstalled & re-installed using the drivers listed on the Dell support list for my configuration. Specifically SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio, dated 07/25/2006, v.5.10.0.4991, A07.

 

Is there a way to determine which are the XP vs Vista drivers?

 

Thanks again for your patience.

 

Greg

OK, I went to the driver download site for my confiuration, switched the operating system to Vista from XP, downloaded the most recent driver, uninstalled the XP version (including deleting the driver software) & re-installed. It now finds the device & says it's working properly, but I still get the red X through the icon and the associated message "the audio service is not running". How do I get the audio service running?

 

I appreciate all of your help & patience . . .

Look to the left, you will see Drivers and Downloads, click on it.

Thanks for your help. Not to sound like a , but where might I find the Dell Vista Support site? How about a URL?

A stupid question  --  where do you find My Computer under Vista?

I don't have my m1210 in front of me now,

so I'm only recalling from memory;

 

My Computer, right click, manage

 

There should be a link to Scheduled Tasks

 

Under multimedia,

there would be a trigger/action on starting the service.

there's also a key under HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run

for something called Xaudio.exe or something.

 

There are several related services for multimedia;

I haven't tried to tweak all of them so I can't tell for sure what you can disable

and what you can't.

 

well, you can show My Computer on the desktop,

by going to the Windows icon (Start),

when it expands, there's My Computer on the right column,

right click on it,

Check - Show on Desktop

 

You could of course also, access the Manage option there.

 

Now that I have my m1210 -

 

Under Computer Management,

System Tools,

   Expand ->Task Scheduler

 

Task Scheduler Library, Microsoft, Windows

 

**At this point I have already deleted most of the triggers

so there's only Bluetooth,

CerrtificateServicesClient,

MobilePC, and

SyncCenter **

 

but I'm digressing.

I re-read your post and you said that you did an upgrade.

 

When I do an installation (i've never done an upgrade);

I always download all the drivers first; that's probably what you need to do.

go to Dell's website, enter your service tag, choose the appropriate Operating System (OS),

then it will list the type of drivers available.

 

download that Sigmatel and install it.

that will probably solve your problem.

Since you're there, you might as well download all the other drivers;

for those that are not working but you may not be aware of,

you can check the status under device manager.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

How to solve the " No Audio Device Installed problem "

 

Click on Start, Help & Support, Type in device manager and search

 

Select open device manager, click on open device manager

 

Click on the + symbol next to Sound Video & Game controller

 

Delete all files within

 

Restart your computer

 

Vista will automatically update with the correct drivers.

Here are the steps for testing the sound system on a Dell portable computer. They are the same steps a Dell technician will ask you to follow before replacing any hardware.

1. Remove system from the docking station
2. Adjust volume controls
3. Try an external speaker
4. Run Dell diagnostics
5. Remove all audio entries in Device Manager
6. Download and install the latest driver and BIOS update
7. Use MSCONFIG to clear Startup

The steps are explained in more detail below:

1. Remove system from the docking station
======================

Try the system outside the docking station if you are connected to it.

2. Adjust volume controls
======================

Double click the speaker icon next to the clock and be sure all volume controls are turned up and no items are muted. If no speaker icon is on the taskbar next to the clock:

* Click Start| Control Panel| (Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices)| Sounds and Audio Devices.
* Click the Volume tab
* Be sure Place volume icon in the taskbar is checked.

3. Try an external speaker
======================

Plug a computer speaker or a set of headphones into the audio output on the side of your computer. If the external speaker works then please [Reply] to this message to contact a Dell technician. Be sure to include the following information:

Company name (if applicable):
Owner's Full name:
System service tag:
Physical address (no PO boxes):
Telephone number (with area code):
A detailed description of your troubleshooting (step numbers will mean nothing to the assisting technician):

If the speaker doesn't work, go to step 4.

4. Run Dell diagnostics
===============================

Boot to the Dell Resource CD and run the Diagnostics program:

* Insert the Dell Resource CD into your CD-ROM.
* Press F12 after you see a Dell Logo or any printing on your screen.
* Choose Boot from CD from the boot list that appears.
* Boot to the Diagnostics menu.
* Choose Run Specific Tests or Run One Test and hit [Enter].
* Choose the System Speaker Test from the System Board Devices category.

Go to the following Dell Knowledge Base Article if you need more help running Dell Diagnostics:

* How do I run the 32-bit hardware diagnostics on my Dell? portable computer?

http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1060550

If the diagnostic fails, and your Dell notebook is still covered by warranty, please [Reply] to this message and be sure to include the following information:

Company name (if applicable):
Owner's Full name:
System service tag:
Physical address (no PO boxes):
Telephone number (with area code):
A detailed description of your troubleshooting (step numbers will mean nothing to the assisting technician):

If the diagnostic passes, please go to Step 5.

5. Remove all audio entries in Device Manager
===========================================

* Click [Start]| Control Panel|(Performance and Maintenance)| System.
* Click the Hardware tab| [Device Manager] button.
* Click the plus (+) sign next to Sound Video and Game Controllers.
* Click once to highlight the first entry and then click the Action menu and Uninstall.
* Keep removing entries until all the Sound Video and Game Controllers entries are gone; the category itself should also disappear. Reply [No] if you are prompted to reboot before you have cleared the category.
* Close all open windows, restart the computer. As the computer comes back on it will automatically restore a fresh driver for the sound card.

Directions are very similar for older versions of Windows.

* Click [Start] | Settings | Control Panel | System |the Device Manager tab.
* Click the plus (+) sign next to Sound Video and Game Controllers.
* Click once to highlight the first entry and click the [Remove] button.
All the other directions are the same.

6. Download and install the latest driver
============================

To download a new driver and BIOS flash from our Web site go to:

http://support.euro.dell.com/

*Move your mouse cursor to Product Support and click on Downloads.

* If your computer is not the model listed in the Your System section enter your service tag or choose the correct system type.

* Make selections for all three steps, choosing Audio Drivers for Step 1, and click [GO].

* Follow the instructions on the Download page.

Repeat the steps above to flash the BIOS but choose Flash BIOS Updates instead of Audio Drivers.

7. Use MSCONFIG to clear Startup
=============================

* Remove all items from the Startup tab.

* Restart the computer and see if the sound is OK.

* If it is, add items back to Startup until you find which program is causing the sound corruption.

NOTE: Reload your AntiVirus program first!


Go to this URL if you need more help with MSCONFIG:

http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=TT1056006