Hi again.  I did happen to see your post in the audio section, but missed the one that was removed.  Don't worry about the "violation" too much - your post was probably removed by the forum's automatic filter.   What the filtering program doesn't like about a particular post is sometimes obvious, but other times a complete mystery.

As for the diagnostics errors:

1-1B22:061B - usually "user response indicated an error".   Parts of the the diagnostic ask you if something is working or not - if you click no, then that error is automatically generated.   It doesn't necessarily mean a failure, but it depends on what part of the test was actually running (and what it asked you).

0F00:133D:   Usually just means you didn't have a disk in the drive - the CD drive part of the diagnostics requires a data disk to complete the test, and throws that error when it can't find one. 

As for the sound:

You're on the right track with the drivers.   If there is no DSS listed then it isn't necessary, but the chipset is important.

A couple thoughts about the audio issue:

1) Which sound card do you actually have - the integrated audio (ADI/Soundmax), or one of the Creative Soundblaster cards?   If it's one of the cards, then the drivers on Dell's site are probably not complete - usually they come with their own installation CD instead.

2) You mentioned you've reformatted in the past without the sound problem,  so I'm wondering what's different now.   Offhand one thing that comes to mind is SP3.   MS might have put a default driver in it that's causing a problem - really just a wild guess, but something to think about.

Hi Changed3, That looks about right, see this journal HERE as well, but make sure you get your chipset on before the rest.

Hello

My card's name is Soundmax Digital integrated Audio. I tested the hardware with the Windows tester and could seee my mic light up as I spoKe but when it was time to listen there was no sound. All is well in device manager.

Dell has a card for $50 ,SoundBlaster Audity, but no exchanges so if it is nt the card I would be stuck..

Best Buy has, RocketFish 7.1 for the same $ and I can exchage it. They also have an external one usb for the same cost.

Perhaps I could open the pc and look for what the card from best Buy looks like.  If it does not work I can return it. I think integrated means it sbould be internal?

I have put memory in but never have seen a card. Do you now its location? Is it hard to access? Could the external one work if I could not install the internal one?

I wish there was a way to be sure it is the card.

Well, thanky ou for listening and any comments will be appreciated.

It's pretty rare for the integrated audio to physically fail - but not so rare for Windows to have trouble with it.   But you still may be able to rule out a hardware problem.

When you ran the Dell Diagnostics,  did you get the  "1-1B22:061B" error because it asked you if you heard any sound at all, and you said no?

The Dell Diagnostics are completely independent of Windows, so even if Windows was totally messed up you should still be able to hear the diagnostics sound test.  If you heard nothing, then either the integrated sound actually is "broken", the speakers aren't working, or there's a problem with the jack.    If you're sure the speakers are powered on and working OK, try plugging them into the front headphone jack instead - using the front jack automatically mutes the rear speakers, so if there's a problem with that "switch"  you can rule that out.   If you have a pair of headphones around, try those in the front and the rear too.   If that's still no good, then it would seem a sound card is the only option.

What's going on with Windows is another story -  there are a couple more things to check, though:

1)  Right click the My Computer icon, click Manage, click Services and Applications.   Scroll down to Windows Audio Service, and make sure it's set on Started and Automatic.

2) You've probably already checked this, but just in case:  In Control Panel, Sounds - make sure all the tabs show Soundmax as the default audio device, and there's no "mute" set anywhere.

3) Try an uninstall/reinstall:   Right click Soundmax in Device manager, then uninstall it.  Reboot, and let WIndows find and install the driver again.   Sometimes this "resets" it so it takes properly.

The integrated audio is a chip built into the motherboard - it can't be physically removed, but it can be disabled.     If you were to add a PCI sound card, it would go in one of the PCI slots (the rectangular slots on the back bottom of your tower).   Then you'd go into the BIOS (System Setup) to disable the integrated audio so it doesn't conflict with the new card.   Your user manual should have instructions on installing PCI cards, or you can check out the service manual in the link below.   The downside of adding a sound card is you probably won't be able to connect it to your front panel headphone and mic jacks - you'd only be able to connect directly to the jacks on the card in the back.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4600/en/series_en.htm

An external USB one would be fine, too, if you prefer that route.