Here is my troubleshooting checklist in no particular order, based on posts from other forum members:

1. Check the volume. Open Audio Properties (right click on the volume icon on the taskbar, or go through the Control Panel/Sounds & Audio Devices). Select the Audio tab. Click on 'Volume' under 'Sound Playback'. Also check the volume control of the audio apps or players you use. Also check that the speaker mute button is not engaged (if you have one).

2. Try System Restore. Go to Start/Help & Support/System Restore and tick 'Restore my computer to an earlier time'.

3. Run Dell Diagnostics audio test. If that fails then it is a hardware problem which would need to be fixed by Dell, or you could get an external soundcard. To run Diagnostics restart, and as soon as it starts to boot up hold down f12. Select 'diagnostic' from the boot menu. It will run some tests for a couple of minutes before the diagnostic comes up. When it does select 'custom', then the audio test. This will test your audio system independently of windows and drivers. Alternate between using headphones and listening to speakers in case only one is working.


4. The audio drivers might be corrupted. There is no way to tell if the drivers are corrupted except by uninstalling and reinstalling them and then trying to use your audio again. Go to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager. Find the audio driver under Sound Controllers and right click on the driver and then click Uninstall. Shut down the computer then restart. Windows should automatically detect your device and display a wizard that helps you reinstall the drivers for it. If this wizard does not appear, reinstall a new driver manually.

5. Re-install drivers manually. If you do not have the 'Drivers and Utilities' cd then

> Look above in the blue bar and hoover mouse on 'Notebooks', then click on 'Inspiron' and then on 'Drivers & Downloads'.

> Enter your Service Tag number and click on the arrow next to the number. (If you don't know your Service Tag number then leave that box blank and instead select your Product model from the 2 dropdown boxes.) Click on the arrow.

> On the next page select your operating system and system language. Click 'Find downloads'.

> The next page will have a list of all of the drivers and some applications that Dell is currently providing for the model and operating system you selected. Click on 'Audio Drivers'.

6. If the driver won't install, remove the modem and again try installing the driver. This tip comes from AussieChris, a regular on the Audio board and a technician, who discovered that on some models with a bad modem the drivers won't install. Chris says, "The symptoms range from saying no audio hardware present, to running with no sound. Typical is the audio icon goes away, and the settings are greyed out." If you are able to install the driver after removing the modem then you might need to replace the modem.

7. In Services (Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services) check that Windows Audio is enabled, set to automatic, and running. Audio won't work without this Service.

8. In Device Manager (Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Computer Management/System Tools/Device Manager/System Devices) check that 'Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator' is installed and running. It will be listed alphabetically if there. If not , then you need to reinstall it.

9. Go to Start/Run and type in sndvol32.exe to make sure the system mixer is installed and running. The audio drivers won't stay installed without this application being installed and running correctly.

10. If you have performed an OS reinstallation, you have to install Dell Notebook System Software (find it under System & Configuration Utilities), then Intel Chipset (find under Chipset), then the audio driver. Find all of these on your downloads page. For complete instructions on how to do an OS installation look in the blue bar and hoover mouse on 'Notebooks'.

Jim

Thanks Jim!  I have just finished trying everything you suggested.  The last was a system restore. I now have a box that is coming up in windows (I think this is where my troubles began) that reads:

Audio System Event.  The system has detected an audio device insertion event.

Locations: Right Panel

Description: Black Jack

Please choose one of the following:

This device is my microphone.

This device is my line in.

Open SigmaTel Control Panel.

Take no action

I haven't installed or inserted anything, not sure what this means...  Please Help!  Thanks!

---

@jimco wrote:
Here is my troubleshooting checklist in no particular order, based on posts from other forum members:

1. Check the volume. Open Audio Properties (right click on the volume icon on the taskbar, or go through the Control Panel/Sounds & Audio Devices). Select the Audio tab. Click on 'Volume' under 'Sound Playback'. Also check the volume control of the audio apps or players you use. Also check that the speaker mute button is not engaged (if you have one).

2. Try System Restore. Go to Start/Help & Support/System Restore and tick 'Restore my computer to an earlier time'.

3. Run Dell Diagnostics audio test. If that fails then it is a hardware problem which would need to be fixed by Dell, or you could get an external soundcard. To run Diagnostics restart, and as soon as it starts to boot up hold down f12. Select 'diagnostic' from the boot menu. It will run some tests for a couple of minutes before the diagnostic comes up. When it does select 'custom', then the audio test. This will test your audio system independently of windows and drivers. Alternate between using headphones and listening to speakers in case only one is working.


4. The audio drivers might be corrupted. There is no way to tell if the drivers are corrupted except by uninstalling and reinstalling them and then trying to use your audio again. Go to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager. Find the audio driver under Sound Controllers and right click on the driver and then click Uninstall. Shut down the computer then restart. Windows should automatically detect your device and display a wizard that helps you reinstall the drivers for it. If this wizard does not appear, reinstall a new driver manually.

5. Re-install drivers manually. If you do not have the 'Drivers and Utilities' cd then

>Look above in the blue bar and hoover mouse on 'Notebooks', then click on 'Inspiron' and then on 'Drivers & Downloads'.

>Enter your Service Tag number and click on the arrow next to the number. (If you don't know your Service Tag number then leave that box blank and instead select your Product model from the 2 dropdown boxes.) Click on the arrow.

>On the next page select your operating system and system language. Click 'Find downloads'.

>The next page will have a list of all of the drivers and some applications that Dell is currently providing for the model and operating system you selected. Click on 'Audio Drivers'.

6. If the driver won't install, remove the modem and again try installing the driver. This tip comes from AussieChris, a regular on the Audio board and a technician, who discovered that on some models with a bad modem the drivers won't install. Chris says, "The symptoms range from saying no audio hardware present, to running with no sound. Typical is the audio icon goes away, and the settings are greyed out." If you are able to install the driver after removing the modem then you might need to replace the modem.

7. In Services (Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services) check that Windows Audio is enabled, set to automatic, and running. Audio won't work without this Service.

8. In Device Manager (Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Computer Management/System Tools/Device Manager/System Devices) check that 'Plug and Play Software Device Enumerator' is installed and running. It will be listed alphabetically if there. If not , then you need to reinstall it.

9. Go to Start/Run and type in sndvol32.exe to make sure the system mixer is installed and running. The audio drivers won't stay installed without this application being installed and running correctly.

10. If you have performed an OS reinstallation, you have to install Dell Notebook System Software (find it under System & Configuration Utilities), then Intel Chipset (find under Chipset), then the audio driver. Find all of these on your downloads page. For complete instructions on how to do an OS installation look in the blue bar and hoover mouse on 'Notebooks'.

Jim

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Message Edited by twinfants on 06-02-200608:54 AM

I don't know why you are getting that box but it means that your audio driver thinks that either a mic or a line-in jack has been inserted into the jack and it wants to know which so it can configure itself.


What was the result of the Diagnostic audio test ... did you hear the sounds the test played? If the test passed then you have a software (driver or Windows) or configuration problem.

Jim

Yes Sir, I was able to hear sound during the Diagnostic audio test.  What should I do next?  I don't have a mic or anything else that would have been inserted into the jack.

Should I reinstall Windows?  If so, how do I go about that.

Message Edited by twinfants on 06-02-200605:33 PM

Never mind the question - I just noticed it was listed on the page you sent me.

Message Edited by twinfants on 06-02-200605:42 PM

Jim - I have Windows XP Media Center Edition.  I did not see an option for that.  I will wait to hear back from you before I go and do something "dumb".

 

Message Edited by twinfants on 06-02-200606:02 PM

As far as doing something dumb, just don't assume I have all the answers. E.g., I don't have Media Center Edition, don't know exactly what it does differently from regular Windows, and don't know how it might affect the workings of the audio or what configuration issues to look out for when using it.

To restore Windows, if you have Dell PC Restore it should be easy. The instructions are on page 104 of your manual. This restores the computer to the same state it was in when shipped and will wipe the hard drive of data and programs you installed.

This should fix the audio if it was working when you got the computer and if there truly is no hardware problem. Even though it passed the Diagnostic test there could conceivably be an intermittent problem that got by the test.

Doing the Restore is a judgement call. It means you have to store all data you don't want to lose off the computer. I think I'd try to reinstall the audio drivers a couple of more times first.

Jim

Okay, I tried restoring the system back to the 'orginal state' and that did not work.  I had a Dell Support person work with me on this to no avail.  I shipped my system back to Dell (I purchased it only two months ago).  They returned it within 4-5 days.  It was noted that the corrective repair action was System Board and System Bios Updated.  My sound problem has been resolved!  :womanvery-happy:

'System board' is probably the motherboard, do you think? So it might have been the hardware after all.

Jim

Yes Jim, I think you are correct..   Since I hadn't inserted anything into the slots (mic or headphones) and I did not add or make any changes in windows, I suppose it was just a 'fluke'.::smileysurprised:

Thanks,

Donna