Computer Help- Driver related

[Celtic Princess]

Okay, I don't usually ask for help with my computer issues. Mostly because one of my bestest friends is so fluent in anything computer related I don't need to. However, he's a little busy right now and my problem has finally gotten to the point that I can't stand it anymore.


Please note though, that I'm not currently on my computer and can't do anything with it until about 4 hrs from now. That in mind, here's my issue.

I run Microsoft XP and do NOT have svc pack 2 installed. I use Media Player to play cds and dvds. Recently, I've been listening to tons of music. But for the last month or so, if I walk away from the computer for a few hours, or shut it down and reboot, and then try to run Media Player again, it pops up with an error message about not having an audio device installed.

My first responce is to check my control pannel and see how my audio devices are functioning. Each time Microsoft Kernel Wave Audio Mixer has errors. So I check the Device Manager. It shows the little yellow exclamation point over it.
I've had to uninstall MKWAM and reinstall it over and over and over. I use the hardware wizard to search out whatever it is I've uninstalled and then let it direct me to reinstall it.

Usually, this works. Today however, the hardware wizard isn't coming up with the cute little directive. It says everything is installed. But I still don't have sound.

So, what I'm asking for help with is this:
How do I fix it so that I get my sound back today?

and

Is there something I can do to make the driver quit messing up and disappearing?

 

[Guest]

your to sexy to be having computer issues

 

[Celtic Princess]

your to sexy to be having computer issues

Aww, thanks Plas. Someone needs to inform my computer of this though. It seems to have missed the memo.

 

[LOST&FOUND]

My first thought is that your sound card is buggered,

 

[hydrex]

Okay, I don't usually ask for help with my computer issSues. Mostly because one of my bestest friends is so fluent in anything computer related I don't need to. However, he's a little busy right now and my problem has finally gotten to the point that I can't stand it anymore.

So were only good enough for you when no-one else is around huh?*sob* *sob*


Please note though, that I'm not currently on my computer and can't do anything with it until about 4 hrs from now. That in mind, here's my issue.

I run Microsoft XP and do NOT have svc pack 2 installed. I use Media Player to play cds and dvds. Recently, I've been listening to tons of music. But for the last month or so, if I walk away from the computer for a few hours, or shut it down and reboot, and then try to run Media Player again, it pops up with an error message about not having an audio device installed.

My first responce is to check my control pannel and see how my audio devices are functioning. Each time Microsoft Kernel Wave Audio Mixer has errors. So I check the Device Manager. It shows the little yellow exclamation point over it.
I've had to uninstall MKWAM and reinstall it over and over and over. I use the hardware wizard to search out whatever it is I've uninstalled and then let it direct me to reinstall it.

Usually, this works. Today however, the hardware wizard isn't coming up with the cute little directive. It says everything is installed. But I still don't have sound.

So, what I'm asking for help with is this:
How do I fix it so that I get my sound back today?

and

Is there something I can do to make the driver quit messing up and disappearing?

I have no idea other than you may need more memory or a new sound card.

 

[Celtic Princess]

My first thought is that your sound card is buggered,

I have no idea other than you may need more memory or a new sound card.

Actually, I just don't like to start threads about the issues I have. I either come off sounding as if I'm totally computer illiterate (which I'm not) or I'm accused of whining.

In reality, all I'm trying to do is avoid a call to India.






I have tons and tons of memory. No, I don't know how much, but I know that I'm only using about 28-30% of my overall capacity.

Is there a way to check my sound card? And why would it just suddenly become freaky like this?

It's set up to be a game oriented computer, so I know my sound and graphics cards are top of the line, or at least, that's what I was told. I don't game, but the system had everything I needed and the price was right...

 

[JammieDodger]

Celtic, I doubt your soundcard is at fault, it sounds more like a winblows problem to me, but I could be wrong. You can find out what you've got in your computer all from the device manager, find out what soundcard you have and try updating the drivers for it.

Also, the amount of memory you have can be found in the system control panel, as well as a number of other places.

Having said all that, I'm stumped, its an unusual problem... I apologise for stating the obvious though, not sure what advice I can give.

 

[LOST&FOUND]

I am not sure how exactly you would go about checking your sound card, but a lot of things can happen that would cause it to stop functioning. Sometimes they just burn out.

 

[JammieDodger]

I am not sure how exactly you would go about checking your sound card, but a lot of things can happen that would cause it to stop functioning. Sometimes they just burn out.

I don't understand why it would show up as being installed, though? My thoughts are that it would show up as not being in a pci slot, ie. not show up at all. Thinking about it some more, you're probably right. Maybe simply taking a look at the card itself will enable one to see whether its overheated or not?

 

[Celtic Princess]

Celtic, I doubt your soundcard is at fault, it sounds more like a winblows problem to me, but I could be wrong. You can find out what you've got in your computer all from the device manager, find out what soundcard you have and try updating the drivers for it.

Also, the amount of memory you have can be found in the system control panel, as well as a number of other places.

Having said all that, I'm stumped, its an unusual problem... I apologise for stating the obvious though, not sure what advice I can give.

I think I've tried searching for driver updates before, but I'll do it again when I get back to my laptop.



Thank you.

 

[LOST&FOUND]

I don't understand why it would show up as being installed, though? My thoughts are that it would show up as not being in a pci slot, ie. not show up at all. Thinking about it some more, you're probably right. Maybe simply taking a look at the card itself will enable one to see whether its overheated or not?

It is possible to sometimes look at a piece of hardware and see the problem but other times it is not so easy.

 

[Delurker]

Problem

It may be too that the card has just unseated itself, try to push it back in a bit, and the do all the normalthings you do.

 

[linuxgeek]

hmmm .. no good suggests that haven't already been made. If you haven't, may want to try the manufacture's website and look for the newest driver there.

While I don't think it is making a different, any particular reason you haven't gone to XP-SP2?

 

[Veruca_Salt]

While I don't think it is making a different, any particular reason you haven't gone to XP-SP2?

When we are talking about her using Windows Media Player? I think it would make quite a bit of difference.

 

[Celtic Princess]

It may be too that the card has just unseated itself, try to push it back in a bit, and the do all the normalthings you do.

If that's the case, then why does it allow me to reinstall the driver only to have it disappear again later?

And I'm not even sure where the sound card is. I don't open my laptop.

 

[JammieDodger]

If that's the case, then why does it allow me to reinstall the driver only to have it disappear again later?

And I'm not even sure where the sound card is. I don't open my laptop.

Ahh, didn't realise it was a laptop, I expect its an on-board sound chip. As has been suggested, the manufacturer's website is usually best for drivers. I'd suggest you do call technical support though, it sounds as if something physical might be a bit borked.

 

[Celtic Princess]

hmmm .. no good suggests that haven't already been made. If you haven't, may want to try the manufacture's website and look for the newest driver there.

While I don't think it is making a different, any particular reason you haven't gone to XP-SP2?

SP2 sent my computer into a downward spiral when the computer techs installed it. It wouldn't boot in any mode, including all the safe modes. It was such a pain. What really upset me was, the techs weren't asked to do that- they were working on a hardware issue and thought they were doing me a favor.

 

[Weird Harold]

But for the last month or so, if I walk away from the computer for a few hours, or shut it down and reboot, and then try to run Media Player again, it pops up with an error message about not having an audio device installed.

My first responce is to check my control pannel and see how my audio devices are functioning. Each time Microsoft Kernel Wave Audio Mixer has errors. So I check the Device Manager. It shows the little yellow exclamation point over it.
I've had to uninstall MKWAM and reinstall it over and over and over. I use the hardware wizard to search out whatever it is I've uninstalled and then let it direct me to reinstall it.

This does sound like a sound card problem.

When a driver installs, one of the things that most drivers do is do a "version check" to make sure the hardware they're designed for is present. For some reason, your sound card is not responding to the check properly or the drive is not receiving correctly.

There are two things I'd do before replacing the sound card:

1: Check the sound card manufacturer for a Flash Rom update and/or a soundcard test utility.

2: Remove the sound card and carefully polish the card edge connections -- where it makes contct with the MB -- using a soft pencil eraser and check the MB connectory visually for corrosion or oxidation -- dark spots or green/white spots. Depending on the exact type and size of the connector, the paper stick of a genuine Q-Tip can be used to polish oxidation from the contacts. Corrosion will require a contact-cleaner of some sort to neutralize the whatever caused the corrosion.

2A: reinstll the sound card in a different slot if there is any doubt in your mind about the one it was in making a good connection.

If neither of those actions solve the problem, then you're probably looking at a new sound card.

It's a remote possibility, but a mother board probem or a Main RAM problem could cause the sound card to look bad when the software checks to see if it's there and what kind it is, but the most probable cause is the sound-card not reporting in properly when interrogated.

PS: in the short term, you might also turn off "Use Hardware Acceleration" whereever you can find it in relation to your sound card to regain some limited function until you can replace it.

 

[Celtic Princess]

Ahh, didn't realise it was a laptop, I expect its an on-board sound chip. As has been suggested, the manufacturer's website is usually best for drivers. I'd suggest you do call technical support though, it sounds as if something physical might be a bit borked.

Grrr. I really don't want to spend an hour or two on the phone to some tech in India that has to put me on hold every three minutes so that they can translate what I just said.


(Yeah, it's a bias, but I've had to call tech support entirely too much for work. I've been trying to avoid it for my personal computer.)

 

[Guest]

Grrr. I really don't want to spend an hour or two on the phone to some tech in India that has to put me on hold every three minutes so that they can translate what I just said.

you could spend it with me and listen to how i think you are hot and such

 

[JammieDodger]

Grrr. I really don't want to spend an hour or two on the phone to some tech in India that has to put me on hold every three minutes so that they can translate what I just said.


(Yeah, it's a bias, but I've had to call tech support entirely too much for work. I've been trying to avoid it for my personal computer.)

It seems a bit hit and miss these outsourced call centres... but in many cases they can be miles ahead of their english equivalents. Also bear in mind India does have a good reputation with regards to technology and teaching people computing from a young age.

p.s. similiar thing happened with me and SP2, nearly lost everything... BAH!

 

[Weird Harold]

Ahh, didn't realise it was a laptop, I expect its an on-board sound chip. As has been suggested, the manufacturer's website is usually best for drivers. I'd suggest you do call technical support though, it sounds as if something physical might be a bit borked.

I think a laptop that is, "It's set up to be a game oriented computer..." probably has an upgraded sound card, which rises the possibility that the integral sound card is somehow slipping throughthe lockout and conflicting with an add-on card, which would cause the kind of failed "version check" I described above.

With the further information I'd sy it sound like it needs an appointment with it's doctors again (with firm instructions and threats of dire retaliation if they install SP2 agin!)

 

[Celtic Princess]

I think a laptop that is, "It's set up to be a game oriented computer..." probably has an upgraded sound card, which rises the possibility that the integral sound card is somehow slipping throughthe lockout and conflicting with an add-on card, which would cause the kind of failed "version check" I described above.

With the further information I'd sy it sound like it needs an appointment with it's doctors again (with firm instructions and threats of dire retaliation if they install SP2 agin!)

I purchased it from HP set up the way it is. I've not added anything to the system hardware wise. Neither has the computer place. They simply repaired the power port in the back.

That was three months ago.

*sigh*

Stupid sound card.
The thing is, the rest of the drivers for the speakers/sound come back as okay and are running normally. It's just the one...

 

[shyly curious]

OMG, my HP laptop has a broken power jack too. The local shop won't touch it, HP says I have to replace the motherboard, ($269). How pricey was your repair? I still haven't fixed, but I want to find a decent place / price.


sorry for the hijack.

 

[Celtic Princess]

OMG, my HP laptop has a broken power jack too. The local shop won't touch it, HP says I have to replace the motherboard, ($269). How pricey was your repair? I still haven't fixed, but I want to find a decent place / price.


sorry for the hijack.

Hi there!



It's an HP issue. My last laptop was an HP and I had the same issue. The guy at Best Buy admitted that he sees tons of people with the same problem. Apparently the factory only slightly sauders (sp?) the receptor to the frame, so it comes loose easily.

I was in a hurry to have mine done, so it was $100.00 for parts and labor- they have to dissect the laptop and that takes time. I also paid a $25.00 rush fee to have it finished that afternoon. This last charge I got back because they totally screwed my system and I had to take it back the next morning.


I could have sent it back to HP, it's still under warranty. I've only had it since July of '04, but I'd have had to send it to them and it could take 10-14 business days. AND once they got it, or so I'm told, they would claim that the damage was inflicted by user abuse and charge me for parts and labor... topping out around $300.00.