Vostro 1400 xp sound driver problem

Ok, solved the wierd display problem. Now, on to sound drivers.

Seems the Sigmatel drivers provided by Dell don't work in XP, even tried the post here about installing some microsoft update for high definition sound. Didn't work.

Hm, this is really confusing me.
Has anyone else fixed this problem?

 

So this doesn't work?

 

nope, I've been on dell tech support for almost an hour and a half. Even with remote desktop the rep can't seem to fix it.

Tried all the drivers from related notebook models.

this is really getting annoying.

 

anyone?

I even wiped the harddrive...AGAIN... and installed the notebook software and chipset driver (in that order, as instructed by dell tech based in canada) then tried to install the sound driver...no luck.

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!! *sobs in the corner*

microsoft and dell and sigmatel are plotting against me.

 

Cancel all that, PROBLEM RESOLVED!

Ok so, anyone else who comes across this problem...here's how to fix it!

Step 1: Don't Panic
Step 2: Make sure you install the Dell System Software FIRST before any drivers on a clean XP install.
Step 3: Install Chipset driver
Step 4: Install all other drivers except audio driver
Step 5: Open device manager, find "System bus"
Step 6: Open it, find the device with pci with an exclamation point in front of it.
Step 7: right click said device, click update
Step 8: Let microsoft update do it's work
Step 9: Bask is glowing fresh audio that works

 

Nice. I'm glad to see you got it worked out.

~CONGRATULATIONS~

Your step-by-step solution has earned a place in my growing document of useful computer information!

 

wow, good stuff.

my next challenge is to attempt to upgrade my xp home to xp pro...with an oem disk, with sp1

nlite-ing the sp2 and maybe, just maybe it'll work.

 

I have installed Windows XP Pro twice on my Vostro 1400 in the last couple months. Both times I have problem with the sound driver initially. In both case, I have to do the driver update in device manager and it installed the Microsoft HD audio driver before the Dell driver can be installed.

 

bad audio on vostro 1400 straight out of the box even the factory sample music clicks and pops so i spent 3 hours w/online support still sounds crappy Sent it back and they replaced the mother board and it still sounds worse than a cheap cell phone. I got this for writing music but I'm freaking out can't even get good sound from a cd,dvd or windows startup and sample music. It's got 3gb ram and 250gb hard drive and hd audio I'm sending it back again and looking for a new computer The Dell people were nice on the phone but no results for this problem. I don't think it's my job to fix a brand new machine guess it' not their job either. I'm getting very frustrated and disappointed with my first new Dell computer any ideas on what to do or buy as a replacement maybe Stu the bunny knows thanks for a reply
bigpinkstevo