"Boot diagnostics finds no problems."
"I've had one Dell tech rep say the motherboard needs to be replaced"

If it passed Dell Diagnostics (F12) audio test then the hardware is fine and so no advantage in replacing the MB that I can see. Here are a couple of things you might look at:

6. If the driver won't install, physically 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. If the sndvol32.exe file is missing the easiest way to replace it is to copy it from another computer from its System32 folder and paste it into your System32 folder.

Jim

Thanks, I'll give it a try and report back the results. The modem is free from it's socket and that might be it. I'll let ya know.

Tried and checked all that you suggested and still no luck. Sound is fine on the diagnostics - both channels and together. All the drivers and other files seem to be there.

In Device Manager:
When I drill down to the Audio Controller - SigmaTel CODEC - under it's properties it says: Status: Driver enabled but has not been started. PCI Bus 0, device 31, function 5.

So, what starts it? No conflicts, states it's working properly, device enabled, and volume is up or should be via keyboard shortcut.

In Control Panel under sounds and audio devices it states No Audio Device, grayed out.

Thanks for the suggestions. Ed

When it's grayed out, means something is wrong with the driver and it needs to be re-installed. If you have ever re-installed the OS, then you probably need to re-install the Intel Mobile Chipset. Jim

Re-installing the Intel chip set. Is that something I can do when it recognizes Service Pak 1 on the CD and Service Pak 2 on the computer? I tried to just re-install windows but it won't as long as the service paks are different.

Does Dell have a cd for this series laptop which will allow me to re-install the entire OS??

Thanks Jim

Ed

Message Edited by Talebearer on 10-03-2007 10:01 PM

Message Edited by Talebearer on 10-03-2007 09:47 PM