Audio (in Windows) died on 5-month-old system

[RICHINMINN]

I built a system for a friend of mine, using a Biostar M7VKG motherboard with a 1300-MHz Duron CPU, 256 MB of PC133 SDRAM, an nVidia MX40 6400 video card, a Yamaha 20x10x40 CD-R/RW, his old IBM 8-GB hard drive, and Windows 98 Second Edition. The system worked fine for 4 months, and then the audio died. As the system is used primarily for games, that's a drawback. However, the system will still play music CDs without any problem.

I've removed all the audio drivers and reinstalled them. I've downloaded the audio codecs for the Avance AC'97 audio for Biostar's website and installed them (after using Biostar's utility to determine for sure that the audio is indeed Avance AC'97).

But still "no go".

What am I overlooking? I don't want to completely reinstall Windows (and all the apps on the system) just to see if it might make a difference, if I don't have to.

Rich (in Minn.)

 

[gargouille]

Tried filling out the E-support form on the Biostar website?
(how nice, Christmas in Taiwan)
Boot to safe mode and inspect what's there in Device Manager...if there are duplicates anywhere...take them all out and let the system reinstall them.

 

[paparazi]

You need to get it back to the point where on boot it finds a NEW device (audio) It obviously still believes the audio is still loaded in part so is not installing the driver properly.
Uninstall all references to sound in device manager and add/remove programs, reboot, you will only have been sucessful when it plugs and plays and says it has found a new device, thats when you install the new driver. Martin Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[Win98User]

Hi,
Have you right clicked over the sound icon in the task tray and checked that you haven't got some needed items muted in the Open Volume Controls"? Or that the sound hasn't been turned down on something.

Whilst in there, click the options properties to make sure that all the settings are being displayed.

Also, just check that any applications you have that use sound connections such as TV tuner cards are not muted or turned down low. (I know you haven't got any other items listed. I am just adding for completeness if any one should happen to search to this thread).

Regards.

 

[RICHINMINN]

gargouille,
Yes, I've filled out the E-support form on the Biostar website, but haven't heard anything back from them yet.

Paparazi,
I've already removed the audio components from Device Manager and let them be reinstalled as a "New" device at bootup, but that didn't make any difference. Actually, there was originally a SoundBlaster-compatible device in Device Manager that doesn't show up now, though the AC97 audio does.

*scratching my head*

Rich (in Minn.)

 

[gargouille]

Didja' try Safe Mode?

 

[Win98User]

Boo Hoo,
I've been totally overlooked.



Not even an acknowledgement.



Suggest you re-install windows from scratch - don't bother with a clean install.



I'm not bitter, I'm in the dark.



lol.

 

[ceh4702]

If you can disable it just install a sound card. It is easier to mess with. You would be surprised how well a Creative soundblaser 16 PCI sounds. You can buy these OEM for $18.00 from

http://www.newegg.com

The sondblaster Live 5.1 cards only cost a little more.
The great thing about a PCI sound card is that it will probably work with the next motherboard and does not eat up too many Processor resources. You should not have to reinstall a sound card unless you use a different OS. If you are really peeved ask them for an RMA. Most companies have a 1 yr guarantee or better on motherboards. This is a gray area. Most retailers demend that you RMA the motherboard within 60 days. So if your box said it had a guarantee you have to call them out and demand they make good on it! If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[gargouille]

Pity Party at Win98user's house!
LOL
(you're the Rodney D. 'round here, aren't ya'?)

To ceh4702:
Buying new hardware (even IF relatively cheep) when it could just be a setting that needs sorted?

 

[Win98User]

gargouille, even dellboy wouldn't talk to me thread602-422236

I think my questions must have been "too obvious".
A bit like yours about "safe mode"

We keep asking - even though they don't answer!

Keep it tight. Keep it simple. Keep it safe.

(If you're wondering what "it" is - you haven't got it)

Kind regards.

 

[gargouille]

Well, he did make that one post in response and felt that you must have corrected him about something...(dunno' what on cursory reading)...so there ya' go...correcting ppl and speaking the troot!
Don't you know better'n that?

plz include my smile

 

[ceh4702]

Well there is always a chance there is a virus that killed the sound or a file is corrupted or it is just disabled in device manager. Then the sound could be muted or the speakers could be plugged in wrong. Of course with onboard sound you can have it disabled in the BIOS, or there may be a disk that came with the motherboard to set it up initially, that you dont know about.

Generally, I just hate onboard sound and think it is a stupid idea. If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[jgoudy]

It appears to me that some things are unsaid (or i missed them). The soundcard in question is onboard, yes?
So im going under that assumption, whatever changes like this usually has something to do with a change in your informational structure. First check the BIOS and look at all the instances of onboard sound, or onchip sound or the like. Some folks have these headings under multiple sections. For ex. My onchip sound settings are under "Advanced Chipset Features" although my actual sound parameters are set under "Integrated Peripherals" So look thoroughly. Now barring this...what irq is your sound card on? More importantly what does it share that irq with. Lastly the drivers that came on the motherboard disk worked the first time...no? Now all the idiot stuff that i didnt see in prev posts (sorry for even including them): Speakers plugged in right port?; Wave sound isnt muted in the win volume control?; The sound output is correct for the type of speakers (analog/digital)?; What happens when you remove all the soundcard stuff from the devmgr and reboot?
Honestly because the CD volume plays fine (now is this through the speakers or the headphone jack on the cdrom itself?), it leads me to believe a mute setting is in effect or perhaps a low wave volume slider. I could tell you if i could see the computer 8^) but since i cant, I think your software settings as far as drivers may be ok. I thinks this cause the cd wouldnt work then either. Oh well mebbe this'll get nailed down sooner or later. Just keep plugging away. Lastly can you play mp3s?

 

[RICHINMINN]

gargouille,
The system is once again working fine. I tried re-re-installing the audio drivers, but to no avail. So I went into the Device Manager to check what else may be going on, and found multiple instances of most of the devices in the "System Devices" section. I left the first of each device and deleted all the others. When I rebooted, the sound was back, and everything has been working fine since then. Thanks for your suggestion to check for duplicates!

And thanks to everyone else, as well. I appreciate everyone's input. This is truly a "cooperative community" here, and everyone's input is valuable.

Rich (in Minn.)

 

[gargouille]

thanks for posting back...
come again and stay longer!

 

[Win98User]

RICHINMINN,
Thanks for the update, it's always nice to know how things turn out. - especially when we are wrong, lol.

Glad to see the banter didn't put you off.

Take care.

Kind Regards.