The sound is built onto the MBD. A cheaper fix may be an external sound card. Before you start spending money, take out the modem and try. You may have to reload the audio drivers. The audio can be tested with Diags outside of the OS. Did you have any storms while away ? The modem is a common cause of audio trouble, it hangs the Bus.
There may be a hidden partition with Diags, hit F12 at the splash screen and see if Diags are available. You can also download them from the Tech support tab above. This will test it outside of the OS. The modem when bad can give a range of symptoms, and is where I always start looking.
Thanks for your help. I am not sure how to run Diags outside of the OS. I brought the notebook used and it didn't come with any CD's.
I ran the online Dell PC checkup and no errors were found. I also realized after installing the modem back, XP did not give me the new hardware found. I just looked in device manager and the yellow icon for the modem is not listed and the modem is not showing.There is a green light showing on the left side of the notebook where the telephone jack for the modem is. In control panel, no modem is found and and when I tried to add a modem none was found. I have a wireless connection and have never used the modem, so I was not aware if it ever workded.
I backed up my files and I wonder if a reinstall of XP PRO would help?
The prices of motherboards are steep, and I agree with you that should be the last option. I want to exhaust all other fixes before spending that money.
Thanks for telling me about the Diags which I never used before. I did F12 and that didn't work so I downloaded and make floppies of the Diag. Ran the tests and the only failure was the no sound heard thru the speakers from the 8 test tones.
There was no modem found for the tests. Therefore, I guess the modem is dead which is fine since I never use it. But, as you said, maybe the dead modem is affecting the audio device. A modem is much cheaper than a motherboard so I may look into replacing it to see if that helps.
On the C840, should the green light (for the jacks for phone and ethernet cables) be on all the time when the notebook is on even if no cables are plugged in? For some reason the green is on and sometimes flashes orange.
I am also using a c/dock 2 docking station and the there is no sound while docked or undocked.
I tried the diag without the modem installed and the only failure was the sound test. I got a USB card and have sound while docked and using desktop speakers, but I need to fix the onboard sound.
Since no audio device is found on the system, could reinstall of xp pro be a solution.? A system restore to 2 weeks ago did not help.
Thanks for your help and I will save the Dell Diags for future problems. I felt it was the mobo when I could not change the audio parameter in BIOS. Now I have to start researching on whether I want to buy a mbd off ebay and install myself or hire a service tech to do so for me. Are any specials tools needed for replacement?
I got the following response from a seller of a mobo on ebay but I don't think is the speaker. "Before changing your motherboard you should check that the proper drivers are installed and that the speakers are functional and properly plugged into the motherboard (they plug into the motherboard through the touchpad connector)."
The MBD is easy to change, you can download a service manual. If the speakers are unplugged, which is common, the headphone socket will work. The Diags will test it without drivers. No special tools are needed, the manual should say what you need.
I have a very similar problem! Although I know what caused mine. I was trying to delete a programme and I acidentaly deteted some audio thing and now I get no audio and it says I don't have any audio devices. I don't know what I deleted or how to get it back! If anyone can help I would greatly apriciate it.
They probably downloaded the official Dell drivers for the C840 (also for C640, C610 and I am sure there are a couple of Inspirons with this).
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/audio/C5mua09i.exe
I am trying to post in many threads here to see if I can find an answer to this dilemma. The Crystal CS4205 works but for some reason gets disabled after a while.
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
July 30th, 2006 20:00
Hi,
The sound is built onto the MBD. A cheaper fix may be an external sound card. Before you start spending money, take out the modem and try. You may have to reload the audio drivers. The audio can be tested with Diags outside of the OS. Did you have any storms while away ? The modem is a common cause of audio trouble, it hangs the Bus.
Regards Chris
maosla
9 Posts
0
August 2nd, 2006 00:00
Hello, took out modem and no change. I will try a USB soundcard as a replacement for now, but I still want the internal sound card.
Would a reinstall of XP PRO may any difference?
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
August 2nd, 2006 08:00
Hi,
Have you tried to run the Diags ? That may help decide what is wrong. Try with and without the modem.
Regards Chris
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
August 2nd, 2006 09:00
Hi,
There may be a hidden partition with Diags, hit F12 at the splash screen and see if Diags are available. You can also download them from the Tech support tab above. This will test it outside of the OS. The modem when bad can give a range of symptoms, and is where I always start looking.
Regards Chris
maosla
9 Posts
0
August 2nd, 2006 09:00
Thanks for your help. I am not sure how to run Diags outside of the OS. I brought the notebook used and it didn't come with any CD's.
I ran the online Dell PC checkup and no errors were found. I also realized after installing the modem back, XP did not give me the new hardware found. I just looked in device manager and the yellow icon for the modem is not listed and the modem is not showing.There is a green light showing on the left side of the notebook where the telephone jack for the modem is. In control panel, no modem is found and and when I tried to add a modem none was found. I have a wireless connection and have never used the modem, so I was not aware if it ever workded.
I backed up my files and I wonder if a reinstall of XP PRO would help?
The prices of motherboards are steep, and I agree with you that should be the last option. I want to exhaust all other fixes before spending that money.
maosla
9 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2006 10:00
Hi Chris,
Thanks for telling me about the Diags which I never used before. I did F12 and that didn't work so I downloaded and make floppies of the Diag. Ran the tests and the only failure was the no sound heard thru the speakers from the 8 test tones.
There was no modem found for the tests. Therefore, I guess the modem is dead which is fine since I never use it. But, as you said, maybe the dead modem is affecting the audio device. A modem is much cheaper than a motherboard so I may look into replacing it to see if that helps.
On the C840, should the green light (for the jacks for phone and ethernet cables) be on all the time when the notebook is on even if no cables are plugged in? For some reason the green is on and sometimes flashes orange.
I am also using a c/dock 2 docking station and the there is no sound while docked or undocked.
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
August 4th, 2006 09:00
Hi,
Have you tried the Diags with the modem removed ? The net lights will be be responding to a wireless net.
Regards Chris
maosla
9 Posts
0
August 5th, 2006 23:00
I tried the diag without the modem installed and the only failure was the sound test. I got a USB card and have sound while docked and using desktop speakers, but I need to fix the onboard sound.
Since no audio device is found on the system, could reinstall of xp pro be a solution.? A system restore to 2 weeks ago did not help.
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
August 6th, 2006 07:00
Hi,
If it fails the Diags, a re-install wont help. It is the MBD. I was hoping something cheaper was the fault.
Regards Chris
maosla
9 Posts
0
August 6th, 2006 15:00
Thanks for your help and I will save the Dell Diags for future problems. I felt it was the mobo when I could not change the audio parameter in BIOS. Now I have to start researching on whether I want to buy a mbd off ebay and install myself or hire a service tech to do so for me. Are any specials tools needed for replacement?
I got the following response from a seller of a mobo on ebay but I don't think is the speaker. "Before changing your motherboard you should check that the proper drivers are installed and that the speakers are functional and properly plugged into the motherboard (they plug into the motherboard through the touchpad connector)."
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
August 7th, 2006 10:00
Hi,
The MBD is easy to change, you can download a service manual. If the speakers are unplugged, which is common, the headphone socket will work. The Diags will test it without drivers. No special tools are needed, the manual should say what you need.
Regards Chris
zoeneedshelp
3 Posts
0
August 30th, 2006 18:00
zoeneedshelp
3 Posts
0
August 30th, 2006 18:00
Hey,
I have a very similar problem! Although I know what caused mine. I was trying to delete a programme and I acidentaly deteted some audio thing and now I get no audio and it says I don't have any audio devices. I don't know what I deleted or how to get it back! If anyone can help I would greatly apriciate it.
Zoe
soonergal9
4 Posts
0
September 3rd, 2006 16:00
Can you tell me exactly what you downloaded? I have the exact same problem! Thanks Zoe!
C
vicentezamora
8 Posts
0
November 20th, 2006 20:00
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/audio/C5mua09i.exe
I am trying to post in many threads here to see if I can find an answer to this dilemma. The Crystal CS4205 works but for some reason gets disabled after a while.
Greetings,
Vince