It might take some work to sort this out. Here are some iseas you can start with. I think you ought to try #4 & 5.


This 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.

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.

If Diagnostics doesn't come up after holding f12, run the Diagnostic from the Drivers and Utilities (Resource) CD if you have one.

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 get the driver from your downloads page:

link

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 for that.  Here's my checklist:

1. did it, didn't work

2. did it, didn't work

3. ditto

4. Didn't uninstall before reinstalling drivers

5. did this - just reinstalled - no uninstall first

6. this sounds Exactly like my problem - this has some sort of built in modem, and I had to disable it to get a USB recorder I have to work.  Could it be that even with it disabled it's messing me up?

7. did it, didn't work

8, 9, ditto

10. haven't reinstalled XP

 

Thanks so much for your help - this is really a pain.

 

"6. this sounds Exactly like my problem ... Could it be that even with it disabled it's messing me up? "

Yes. To test it you need to remove the modem, see pages 80-81 of your manual, and try reinstalling drivers. If this solves the problem then you'd need to get a new modem.


Jim

Odd that a modem could be messing me up this bad...

Anyway - I don't think my computer came with a manual - it came with next to nothing as everything I need (Including OS) is "supposedly" backed up on my computer somewhere.......

Is there somewhere on this site where I can find that info?

If that is the problem, is there any way I can get my audio to work Without replacing the modem?  I connect thru a Wireless network, and I don't use the modem at all.

Thanks