Okay, here it is, in a nutshell....

I have not had any audio for over 6 weeks. Computer is still under warranty with Dell. Had to do a lot of testing/checking myself at first. They sent new speakers; didn't solve it. They sent a techie to install a new sound card....didn't solve it either. Techie told me that I had a couple of choices; I went with the 'least amount of time' one....bought an extra external hard drive (system has room for it) and ran the disk for the sound card again...still nothing.

System cannot detect the sound card.

Now Dell is telling me that I'll have to back EVERYTHING up, uninstall, and re-install....

Do I REALLY have to do that???

I'm so tired of working on this thing that I could just scream!!

If it is under warranty you might want to just follow Dell.

It appears a bit absurd to me. Most computers do not have sound cards. They are integrated motherboard chips. The easy solution to sound issues is to reinstall the drivers offered by Dell depending on your specific model.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...=us&l=en&s=gen

If Dell installed a PCI sound card then ask them about the drivers. What disk did you run?

Your hard drive should have absolutely nothing to do with your sound.

If you have tried the Dell drivers and they insist on reinstalling the Factory Recovery then I'd do it.

What is the bios status of the onboard sound device?

If it's cooked, (which is maybe why DELL wanted to install a sound card as opposed to giving you a new motherboard) it should be disabled in the bios.

If it's ENABLED (& inoperable) and there is a peripheral PCI card installed, this may be why the system isn't "seeing" the new sound card.

Originally Posted by Dan Penny

What is the bios status of the onboard sound device?

If it's cooked, (which is maybe why DELL wanted to install a sound card as opposed to giving you a new motherboard) it should be disabled in the bios.

If it's ENABLED (& inoperable) and there is a peripheral PCI card installed, this may be why the system isn't "seeing" the new sound card.

Sorry that it's taken me so long to respond......

How do I check the BIOS?

Click on the blue link ("bios"). This will provide general instructions on how to enter and navigate around the bios screens. Usually you start tapping the DEL key, (or F1, F2, F10,) when the machine is starting. The key which is appropriate for your system should be displayed on the first or second screen you see when the machine is starting.

If there is a proprietary LOGO displayed on the screen ie; HP, IBM, DELL etc which is covering or hiding the screens below or underneath it, hit the ESC key and the logo usually goes away and you can then see the POST (Power On Self Test) screen.

Once you're into the bios setup, every page will provide the navigation keys for moving around. (Arrow keys, ENTER, Pg Up, Pg Dn, F keys, Space bar, etc.) ESC will back you out the the previous screen. The integrated devices (sound etc) may be under the "Advanced" screen, or some bios's have an "Integrated Peripherals" screen by itself. You may have to visit each screen to find it. If you make changes, ensure to tell it to SAVE the changes on Exit.



Once you verify the integrated sound device is disabled (if there is a add-in sound card installed), follow jephree's directions.

The sound was OFF in the bios.

I changed it to ON, then SAVE CHANGES AND EXIT.......

Still nothing.

The only sounds coming out of the speakers is light static and a low hum.

Any suggestions?

The question is whether or not Dell installed a PCI sound card.

If they did then they would have shut off the BIOS sound as that is the motherboard chip.

Are your speakers plugged into the motherboard or a PCI card?

If motherboard they will be near the edge of the case. If PCI they will be lower and towards the middle of the caes.

Again if this is under warranty Dell should fix it.

The speakers are plugged into a PCI card.

Needs another sound card or another motherboard?

If the speakers are in a card then the BIOS sound should be off as that pertains to the on-board chip which most computers use.

If both the on-board chip and your PCI card are not working I might question the motherboard itself. If Dell thought the card would fix the problem and it didn't then the motherboard is suspect. This has absolutely nothing to do with hard drives and or Windows etc. This is a basic hardware failure.

I do not know if the correct drivers were installed for the PCI card.

Again if this computer is under warranty demand a fix from Dell. That is why there are warranties.

Dell's sending a techie here in the next few days to replace the motherboard.

Thanks.