Dell Inspiron 1150 -- sound card 'null', 'not present'

Question

No sound from card. Driver problem. Sound card not present/recognized. I am sure this relates to installing and uninstalling an audio utility program called Total Recorder, which puts its own drivers in place of WinXP's drivers. System restore did not work (broken, no explanation!) and the original WinXP legacy sound card drivers are not available. The problem occurred immediately after I uninstalled Total Recorder (prep for a new version), and the original sound card drivers were not available anywhere, even in WinXP restore. I've run several MSFT, Dell, and other diagnostic programs (Everest), which show sound card as 'null', or 'not installed'. At the same time, I found that my USB printer, Palm Pilot cradle, and USBSTOR thumb drive no longer function. Deep system problem. Network functions. My user and application data is always fully backed up daily via network (Syncback), periodically verified (today!), and confirmed to be good (also today!). So I'm about ready to do a full system restore, then wade through removal of all Dell's appls+spyware, reinstall firewall, antivir, and so on. Half day shot. But before doing the full system restore I'd like to do a board level check of my sound chips/card to confirm the problem is in the software/driver. Any suggestions on a diagnostic to confirm this, or otherwise get at the problem.

bacillus · Answer

tried reinstalling your audio drivers?   <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

gwcook · Answer

Yes, oops, sorry I did not say that. Fresh device driver downloaded. Will not install -- error: "Device object not found."

The way I read that, the driver needs a hardware device to bind to, and WinXP shows the dervice as null, not installed.

Whatever went wrong in that uninstall, it was a very deep cut. I suspect a chip level driver has to be installed to get the device recognized.

gwcook · Answer

Follow up: I also wonder if a failure of the sound chip throws an error message or just causes the sound chip to 'disappear'. I have this nagging worry about a hardware problem.

TJMORRIS · Answer

I'm having the same exact problem with my 1150. Everything was working fine, no problems at all until the other day my Sound and USB stopped working at the same time. I just found a few posts on this forum regarding the USB, and that says it's probable that it's a faulty motherboard as many other people are experiencing the same problem.

As far as the sound goes, I tried reinstalling the drivers and i'm getting the error "Device Object Not Present, restart the system and run setup again."

Anyone find a solution tot the problem yet? I'm out of my warranty with DELL already so sending it back to them isn't really a viable option.

Any help would be VERY greatly appreciated.

-Taji Morris

gwcook · Answer

I should have 'closed' my problem with the solution found. So here we go. I went through all standard diagnostic procedures, step by step, ending up at a full system restore from the hidden partition. Problem remained; no change. Notified Dell, by email, and gave them a step by step of all symptoms and actions taken. They responded immediately by email and said: 'You have a failed motherboard. Someone will be in touch.' The local contract service company called 72 hours later, and the next day I had a new motherboard installed which resolved all problems. I have never had 'on site' repair for a PC before, and I have to say the response time and local repair channel is impressive.

DJChadAllen · Answer

I to had the same problem, a tech came out replaced my mother board and fixed all problems.. However... two weeks later my audio properties went out and no usb either again. I am awaiting word from Dell to see what they will do about it. I am a DJ and I can't afford to be with out it. I can't keep replacing the mother board every 2 weeks. I want to know what causes this and how to stop it, other wise I need to buy stock in Dell mother boards.

gwcook · Answer

This was the first time in my life I ever purchased an extended warranty on a PC. But 3 years, in home, for $99 -- couldn't turn it down. Some sort of special.

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