2012-03-15
How Can I Make Windows XP Install Realtek AC97 Sound Card Driver?
I hope this time I finally succeed in posting my new message on the above-indicated subject matter, namely Windows XP’s failure to install the Realtek AC97 Audio Sound Card’s driver.
My computer is an HP Compaq d530 buisness desktop running Windows XP. About two years ago it suddenly lost its sound mysteriously.
If I use a stand-alone Linux CD with this same machine, I can make it play all kinds of music CDs or sound files (via Linux, of course).
Thus I conclude that this is not a hardware porblem but stricly a Windows XP one.
According to the computer’s documentation, the sound card is an integrated (not discrete) SoundMax Digital AC97 Audio but the Find New
Hardware Wizard calls it a Realtek Ac97 Audio. Essentially the driver is one and the same. Normally Device Manager shows only Microsoft
files for this device under Sound, Video and Game Controolers and reports that everything is working properly.
However, Control Panel reports that there is no sound device. I tell Windows XP to proceed to install Realtek AC97 Audio’s driver any way even though it says that the software is not on the compability list. Invariably after installing a number of files, it stops and reboots. At bootup Windows XP always reports this new hardware and wants to install its driver, but ends up aborting it and executing a reboot just as before.
If I examine Device Manager’s Sound, Video and Game Controllers, I see a yellow-flagged entry associated with the Realtek AC97 Audio Sound Card. Disabling it and repeating the installation process does not help one iota. In other words, Windows XP is determined to reject this device becuase its driver is not compatible?
By the way, I have downloaded the Realtek AC97 Audio driver only recently from www.realtek.com. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Julianvb
Registered member, TechgRepublic
julianloui@verizon.net