Run the audio tests in Dell 32-bit Diagnostics if you still have it.

I am trying to avoid a factory restore. i am confident that a factory restore will resolve the issue but that will be the last resort.

Hi Jimco,

thanks alot for looking into the this. i just came back with Dell 32-bit Diagnostics as you said. the test passed and i was able to hear the sound from the speakers as well as the headphones too during the test.

the problem is within windows. waiting for your inputs.

thanks again.

Regards,

Zaid

Hello. Sorry about short reply last night -- was on the way to bed at the time.

What were the circumstances of the failure? Audio was working fine then suddenly stopped, or had you been updating or installing software, etc?

> Try using Windows System Restore. (Type system restore into the Start>search box.) Select a restore point dated earlier than when the issue began.
> Remove the Realtek driver. In Device Manager, right click on it and choose to uninstall. Check the option to delete the files. Reboot. Normally Windows would then install its native audio driver (High Definition Audio Device). See what happens.

> Check Windows Audio Service. (In the search box type services.msc ). Scroll down until you find "Windows Audio" towards the bottom of the list. Check that it is enabled, set to automatic, and started. If it isn't, double click on it and change the Startup type to Automatic, then click Start, Apply, and OK.

Just to be sure, you ran the ePSA tests and the Dell 32-bit Diagnostic tests? The ePSA tests run first and  have an audio test but it only can confirm that the speakers are working. Only the 32-bit Diagnostics tests the audio chip.

Np .. thanks already for trying to help me out.

the issue started like this: Dell Scheduled PC check up poped up and started scanning. it also had a section saying Drivers and Updates. i went to the dell site entered my Service Tag and checked for what drivers are available. i selected them all and downloaded, then tried to install one by one. when i finished installing i found out that my sound is lost. :-(

below are the ones i installed:

1. Try using Windows System Restore: Yes i did try to Restore my Windows but it failed due to some reason it never said why and the message appeared reverting the changes.

2.Remove the Realtek driver: i dont know what is Realtek, but i removed the both Audio Devices Available in Device Manger but they never disappeared from there and there was no option to delete the files too.

3. Audio Service: Checked it many times and it was running.

4. Regarding the ell 32-bit Diagnostic tests: Yes ePSA tests ran first it passed then i selected Custom Diagnostic and Tested Audio. it performed like 6 test as mentioned the your tagged Thread and passed all the tests, Mic + Heahphones + Speakers all gave the correct sound.

i think i am moving very close to losing all my data and do a system factory Reset. :-(

Have you seen anything like this before .. :-) i guess not.

Regards,

Zaid

Remove the Realtek driver: i dont know what is Realtek, but i removed the both Audio Devices Available in Device Manger

My bad. The IDT driver is your audio driver. The ATI driver is for the part of your graphics card that controls HDMI audio output when connected to a TV.

but they never disappeared from there and there was no option to delete the files too.

It is supposed to look like this:

Have you seen anything like this before .. :-) i guess not.

You're right, I haven't. I don't know know what could have caused all of this to happen. The Creative audio software can cause cessation of audio under certain circumstances, but when that happens it is because a service stops that Windows Audio Service depends on which makes the Audio Service quit, but that is not the case here.

Sorry. System recovery is the only solution  I know of. My personal policy is to not update any driver unless there is a problem I am trying to fix.

i didnt notice that before but at the moment i cant see the option of deleting the files.Can be it some kind of access issue . as the driver installation also fails with the same access issue.

I have no idea what can cause that. How about if you right click on the IDT driver in Device Manager, then click Properties. Do you have "rollback driver"?

Nopes roll back option is not highlighted.. i m starting the back now. and will get the sytem restored to factory default settings ..

Regards,

Zaid