No sound on DELL Desktop - Help please

NiteRider

Earlier today I saw the message telling me a Windows media update was available so I chose to accept this and Windows media was upgraded to version 11.

Whether it is a coincidence or not but since then I can not get any sound from the PC, either from the external speakers or headphones.

Via Device manager I highlighted Sound and Game Controllers and checked the sound card, a SB X-Fi and it said it was working properly. I updated the driver but no joy.

I have tested by either trying to play music thru' Windows Media or using Control Panel - Sounds and clicking on something like Exit Windows which has a sound associated.

Please can someone help?

Browntoa

try going back to before the update

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

NiteRider

Thanks, Browntoa. I will try this once I get home from work

NiteRider

I tried the System Restore as suggested but there is still no sound. I took it back to a point before Windows Media upgrade.

I then removed the sound card from Device Manager, rebooted then it was automatically recognised and re-installed. Still no sound yet Device manager states that the sound card is OK.

Any ideas? The PC is still inside the warranty (just) but if I contact DELL and tell them that Device manager shows up OK, will they even help?

dounome

Just incase you havent checked it and maybe stating the obvious but have you checked that the plug for speakers hasnt just come out the back of the pc somehow.

NiteRider

Yes, I have checked for that, dounome, but thanks anyway for your post. I also checked headphones in the socket at the front (DELL Dimension 9150) and they don't work either.

NiteRider

I presume another option would be to remove the sound card and replace it in another slot. I haven't done this yet coz I am not too technichal nor confident at meddling "under the bonnet". However if it has to be done, I will give it a go.

In any case I imagine this is something that DELL would suggest were I to report this under warranty.

Could someone please confirm that swapping the sound card around is worth a go?

Browntoa

I believe deleting Media Player 11 is an option on add/Remove programs

you can also delete the sound card in Device manger , reboot and let it re-add

NiteRider

I was able to get the original media player back by doing the System Restore.

I tried deleting the sound card via DM as you suggested, browntoa, then rebooted and it added the sound card but there is still no sound. DM reports that the device is OK.

Browntoa

open it up and reseat the card ,unless it's built into the motherboard, which exact model Dell ??

NiteRider

Thanks, browntoa. Will try this tomorrow. Something has cropped up and I have to go now.

It is a DELL Dimension 9150 and the sound card is a Creative Soundblaster and appears to be in an expansion slot.

Thanks again for your advice.