NEED HELP from a computer guru...

Bobert0989 · #1 01-22-11, 06:34

For some reason, my audio has stopped working on my laptop... it's a Dell Inspiron E1505 running Windows XP (came with Vista, reloaded XP after deciding Vista sucked). Audio worked fine for last 2.5+ years, suddenly stopped.

I tried downloading the SigmaTel drivers from Dell AND Gateway and neither will run on my system... the Dell says it is "corrupt" and I should return to the list and try to reinstall, but I do so with no luck every time.

Is there an easy fix without a trip to the computer doctor for this? I have a friend in our IT dept at work that could probably figure it out but I hate to bother people if it's something minor...

Thanks

Bobby

chadbag · #2 01-22-11, 08:05

Not being a windows guy I cannot help on th SW front but are you sure it is not a HW issue? Can you boot some sort of windows or Linux liveCD to see if it works under a different install ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobert0989

For some reason, my audio has stopped working on my laptop... it's a Dell Inspiron E1505 running Windows XP (came with Vista, reloaded XP after deciding Vista sucked). Audio worked fine for last 2.5+ years, suddenly stopped.

I tried downloading the SigmaTel drivers from Dell AND Gateway and neither will run on my system... the Dell says it is "corrupt" and I should return to the list and try to reinstall, but I do so with no luck every time.

Is there an easy fix without a trip to the computer doctor for this? I have a friend in our IT dept at work that could probably figure it out but I hate to bother people if it's something minor...

Thanks

Bobby

Littlelebowski · #3 01-22-11, 08:20

Remove/uninstall the sound device via Windows and reboot.

Icculus · #4 01-22-11, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

Remove/uninstall the sound device via Windows and reboot.

This is probably all it is. OP you said you went back to XP 2.5 years ago; has the OS ever been reinstalled since then? Sometimes Windows needs a kick in the ass which is why I like/try to keep good backups of everything and format/reinstall the OS once a year.

chadbag has a point though that if it was fine and just quit it could be hardware as laptops just aren't as durable as desktops and sometimes after a while the extra banging around and heat just starts killing components. You could try downloading and burning a linux live cd from the two links below (or other). Basically that way you could see if your hw works under a different OS while still leaving your system basically untouched. Good luck

Knoppix

Ubuntu

Bobert0989 · #5 01-23-11, 05:03

Thanks, I'll try the CD thing you are talking about. I have tried uninstalling the drivers and reinstalling, but it is not recognizing any sound device at all. I guess a 4 year old computer is bound to start needing some parts replaced eventually... right? Hopefully I get it resolved, if not I'll take it to someone and say "fix it"... lol

I'll post back in a few as to whether or not this works.

Thanks

Bobby

Bobert0989 · #6 01-23-11, 05:42

Okay... what do I do with this Knoppix file-thingy? Urgh... I get frustrated with technology that I can't make work... it's just a stupid machine!

Rmplstlskn · #7 01-23-11, 09:50

Since you deleted the sound device from the "Device Manager," and it did not reload it when rebooted, it is not looking good...

Notebooks now days are make like crap! As cheap as possible... I suspect two things...

1. You have some major virus infection that has corrupted your devices (but doesn't sound like this as you don't mention any other problems)

2. Your audio chip has malfunctioned. It is embedded on the systemboard and is not replaceable without major work and very specialized tools. Very few notebooks would be worth that work and effort, and if they were, it would be under warranty. Yours is old in technology terms...

Get ready to either live with no sound or buy a new notebook... Sorry. I see it all the time... I have parted out more notebooks than I care to remember...

Rmpl

Icculus · #8 01-23-11, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobert0989

Okay... what do I do with this Knoppix file-thingy? Urgh... I get frustrated with technology that I can't make work... it's just a stupid machine!

Ok here goes. If I say something you already know please don't take offense because it's hard to know what level people are at so I tend to go into too much detail.

So when you downloaded Knoppix for example you should have an .iso file. Not sure which version you downloaded but for example KNOPPIX_V6.4.3CD-2010-12-20-EN.iso You basically want to burn that to a cd. When you burn it you don't want to just copy the file to the cd. An ISO is basically a snapshot image of a disk so you can make another just like it. Your burning software should have an option that says "burn from iso" or "burn from image" or something like that. When your done open the disc and look at what's on it. If you see just the same Knoppix iso file on the disc--well you just made a drink coaster; if you see a bunch of files and directories your good.

Reboot your laptop with the cd in and when it gives you the "hit any key to boot from cd in so many seconds thing" do that so you boot from the disc and not into windows. At that point it will boot into a linux desktop and you should be able to see if you get sound. Once you're done just eject the disc, reboot and you'll be back in windows.

If still no sound then it probably hw and like Rmplstlskn said there isn't much to be done about that--or at least not really worth the expense. If you do get sound it's back to the drawing board on the windows side trying to find the right driver.

Littlelebowski · #9 01-23-11, 12:15

Do your headphones work when plugged in?

Preferred User · #10 01-23-11, 12:40

Since you are using the newest audio drivers you may need to update your BIOS and Intel drivers as well.

Bobert0989 · #11 01-25-11, 13:55

My version of the Knoppix is: KNOPPIX_V6.4.3CD-2010-12-20-EN but says nothing about what type of file (.iso) it is... but it is listed as a TORRENT file... will this version work? Is this what I copy to the disc?

Also, I cannot play my music files because Windows Media PLayer says there is either no sound device installed or I have it disabled... so no luck with the headphones either...

Can't believe I just traded a VERY nice laptop to a member here for something I really didn't need... lol

Whootsinator · #12 01-25-11, 14:06

The 'torrent file' should probably work. If you have torrenting software it may have associated all .iso files with itself... Though .iso files don't actually have anything to do with torrenting, they are a commonly torrented file type.

What burning program are you using? If you're using Nero, use Nero Burning ROM. If you just copy the file to a disk you're going to get an .iso on a disk... that doesn't help... If you burn it as a ROM it creates a boot disk you can actually use.

5pins · #13 01-25-11, 15:55

Try the ubuntu link that lcculus posted, it will walk you through the process to put it on a DVD or flash drive. I'm running it right now on a flash drive and it's working very well.

Bobert0989 · #14 01-25-11, 19:52

I think I'll just part this one out and opt for a newer model... Still no sound, took it to my IT friend and he said that the device had quit working altogether, for whatever reason (heat, drop/bounce, etc)... and this computer needs some repairs anyways, like the three keys that my 2-year-old has managed to pull off and lose.

Thanks... I appreciate you all trying to help me out.

Kindest Regards;

Bobby

BWT · #15 01-26-11, 10:56

Quote:

Your audio chip has malfunctioned. It is embedded on the systemboard and is not replaceable without major work and very specialized tools. Very few notebooks would be worth that work and effort, and if they were, it would be under warranty. Yours is old in technology terms...

Probably what I'd subscribe to.

Malware will corrupt control panel, (Often times so you can view event viewer, system logs, etc), damage the user classification (revoke your administrative privileges) my computer, windows update, etc. things that will help you to remove malware, they don't go after your hardware often times.

I'd say hardware more than likely.