You probably omitted the intel chipset drivers.  These drivers define what is on the motherboard and MUST be installed before installing device drivers, such as the sound. 

 

The correct install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install chipset drivers (3) Install device drivers (e.g. sound drivers).

Thanks, but actually I followed the directions from the Dell site as to what to load and in what order so I know that is not it.  The chipset was loaded first.

Have you tried to delete the sound or "unknown" device out of device manager and reboot?  It should redetect the sound chipset on reboot.  You may need to do this in combo with uninstalling the Soundmax software at the same time.

No, I did delete the SoundMAX driver because otherwise my computer crashes.  I have a few items that are still unknown in my device manager (Haven't installed my printer yet so that is one but don't know what the others are).  What would it be called?  And if it does redetect the driver on reboot, whose to say the computer won't crash again if I try reinstalling the driver?  Or am I missing something...?

 

 

Before you try this again just disconnected all the devices fromthe computer other than the keyboard, mouse, monitor and the powercord. then try to instal the drivers again. see if this helps out.

When I did a bit of research on the error message that you are getting, many people are resolving it by reinstalling the operating system. :smileyindifferent:  Others have solved it by having windows reload the files that are part of the OS and are assoc. with the sound drivers.

 

Hence removing the devices from device manager and rebooting.

If you still have the same symptoms after doing the above, I would recommend removing parts, one at a time to see if the system will power on.  Start with the easy ones. :smileywink:  I wouldn't go

as far as to remove the mainboard, processor or system fans.   I would however remove the hard drive, memory modules, optical drive, keyboard ect. 

 

Be sure to ready "Before you remove or Replace parts" before starting to tear down the system.

 

Here is a link on how to remove parts:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins2600/en/sm_en/remove.htm#1103387

How do I remove devices from the device manager?  The two devices listed with yellow question marks won't allow me to delete them, at least not any method I know of to remove things.  Or are there other devices I should be removing?

 

To remove actual components I would have to get help from a friend as that is beyond my level of confidence!

My apologies, I posted on the wrong forum!  Please do not dismantle your system.

 

I would remove all the listed audio devices out of device manager. You can do this by right clicking on "my computer" and selecting manage.  Then highlight "device manager" on the left side of the window.  You should see something listed under "other devices"  Right click on each of those and select "uninstall".  If you uninstall your printer that you have not loaded drivers for, don't worry about it, it will redetect on the reboot.  Once that is completed look for "Sound, video and game controllers", if it is listed, click the little + sign next to it.  There maybe several things listed under it, right click on each of those and uninstall them also. 

 

Once complete, restart the system (it may take a min. or two to redetect those devices).  Once fully booted, try to reinstall the sound drivers.

 

 

 

Well that didn't seem to work for the multimedia audio controller.  It couldn't find the driver although it did find the modem drivers on the same disc so I wonder if I have the wrong audio driver?  I found two other drivers that are for the same system, maybe just different versions?  I can't see where to tell exactly which version I have, but I have two drivers in my downloads, R89530 and R81063.  The one Dell keeps trying to get me to install (that causes my system to crash) is R94481.  That is for ADI 198x Integrated Audio A22 whereas the other two are for A18 and A21. 

 

Is that possible, and if so, how would I confirm which version I have?