No Sound and can't install Realtek AC'97 Driver

I'm running XP. Motherboard is ASUS P4P800 with onboard sound. The CPU is an
Intel Pentium 4. I lost my sound the other day. Perhaps I did something, but
I haven't a clue what it might be. On Device Manager I have an exclaimation
mark on the Multimedia Audio Controller and a Question Mark on the Ethernet
Controller (whatever that is). I've downloaded and tried (many, many times)
to install the Audio Driver from RealTek. It goes merrily along until the
warning (unsigned driver. Do you wish to continue.) I click yes, and it
continues for a second, then halts and then the computer crashes and reboots.
I've done everything I can think of, including a repair install. Nothing
works. I see similar problems on the Net, but nothing that seems to apply to
this case. I'd appreciate any help anyone can give me. But remember, I'm a
Senior and not all that computer savy. Thanks. Don.
--
Thanks, Don

Ethernet controler is a device on your motherboard that connects to an input
plug on the back of your PC - similar to a large phone connector - its used
to connect, by ethernet cable to other PC's or to a modem
The driver for this is obtained from your motherboard site.
Initially; in Device Manager rt click on this device & remove. When the PC
is rebooted it should be reinstalled automatically, if the ? remains visit
Asus site and update the driver
Similar process for Audio Controler

Thanks for the help. I tried the recommended procedure several times before
I posted. The driver (latest RealTek download) always begins to install and
goes merrily along for a while, but then it stops and asks for the file
ALCXWDM.SYS. This is the problem. I can't provide this single file. I've
looked at many discussions on the Net about this file, but I can't find it
(as a single file.) I know it's a component of the audio driver and should
be in there, but it doesn't seem to be. I've replaced the RealTek download a
couple of times, but it doesn't help. I just can't figure it out. As to the
Ethernet Controller, I'm connected to the net and have no problem and the
driver is there so I can't figure out why there's a question mark on it in
Device Manager. Again, thanks for the help.

Futher information (see my previous TWO posts, above and below)... I went
into the registry and the missing driver (alcxwdm.sys) is there in the
drivers. During the audio driver install, the other files are installed with
no problem until it reaches alcxwdm.sys, but it stops there and asks for that
'file'. I'd love to supply it, but when I locate it (C:windows\system
32\drivers \alcxwdm.sys) the 'installer' can't see it and there's no option
but to close the install. There, that's the complete story--I think. Does
anyone have any notion what's going on here? Thanks again for the help. Don.

You said it's AC-97, but just in case I'll ask:

is this an "HD" sound device? If so you may need to install the Microsoft
UAA Driver first, then install the realtek driver (after a reboot).
Google for UAA, you'll find it.

i do not like to but in but i am also having a sound problem and am in need
of this "Microsoft UAA bus driver for high definition audio for Wiundows XP"
do you know how i can get a copy of this with out having to try and get it
from the MS support site! it is not help full and is some what out of date. i
have found an HP vershon but will not load on to a non HP computer some one
must have a copy of this driver please?

Access the motherboard's manufacturer's web site. You should find the
correct driver files for the motherboard there.

[Per_Killer]

I have the exact same problem as described above. My Realtek AC'97 (Built-in soundcard to the Asus MSI K8V-X motherboard) sound-card started becoming troublesome and I can just get sound on one channel. I uninstalled SoundMAX and the AC'97-drivers, downloaded the latest version and start installing it. It looks fine until windows says that the drivers don't have a signature whatever and asks me if I want to proceed anyway. I click yes and the installation continues for afew more seconds before screen turns black instantly and I find myself back at the motherboard-logo as my comp is rebooting..
Any solve/fix or ideas about what the problem may be?

[a1websolutions]

I am going to re-open this thread, as I too am having the EXACT SAME issues as the previous posters!!

ASUS PS4800D-X Mobo

I have tried the drivers from both ASUS and Realtek's websites, as well as several different AC97 drivers bundles from various drivers sites ..

All drivers ultimately end in the computer rebooting itself ...

CAN ANYBODY PROVIDE A SOLUTION??

I have $20 via paypal for anybody who can post a solution that WORKS!!

As with most "on-board" devices, it is generally recommended to
install the latest "up to date" chipset drivers. Once these are
installed, the remain "unknown" devices should respond correctly to
their driver install process. Access the motherboard manufacturer's
web site and download the correct "tweaked" chipset driver as well as
the remaining drivers.

Install the *correct* motherboard chipset drivers first, before attempting
to install the audio drivers.

This indicates a crash, which indicates that you are attempting to install
the wrong drivers.

Take more care when looking at the driver sections.

Next time you move to a larger hard drive, do the smart thing and
clone the old drive the new drive so that you won't have to go through
all that.

[Ally Wilson]

For PK to state the obvious..that our computers are crashing, and then to suggest we take more time when downloading the drivers, is beyond patronising.

I'm having the exact same problem with my mother's computer and it's totally infuriating, it's doubly not helpful to have someone telling me what i already know and then presume i don't know how to download the right driver, grrrr.

[redjwood]

Don't know if this will help at all. I was having the same problem with the crashing after trying to install the AC '97 driver on a computer that I reloaded windows on (because I put a larger hard drive in). Before I started the project, I had checked the device manager to check what sound drivers, etc. I would need after the install, and it indicated that it had the Realtek AC '97 sound driver. After the install, I used a program called "Driver Robot" (found it when searching for the Realtek driver) to scan for & download whatever drivers I would need, and it downloaded the Realtek AC '97 driver for my computer. As I indicated earlier, all it did would crash my computer. After further research, I found a SoundMAX integrated digital audio driver that was apparently for a Gateway 500 series computer (which is what I was working on). It worked. Here's the link...
http://support.gateway.com/support/d...&uid=229973289
Not sure this will help anyone, if they are not working on a Gateway computer, but thought I'd mention it.

[gauravsood_91]

just do one thing

one ur pc side cover

look at ur ****in motherboard note down the model no. may be in black or white .

then type that in google with manufacturer name

i am sure u will not get every desired driver for ur computer

do one thing

open ur cpu from side if u r using a desktop else open up the base of ur laptop.
look in the manul how to open ur laptop base.

now
lok at ur motherboard now. there will be a model name or number writen .

mostly name is given

then note it down and then type that motherboard name in google search like this
download "ur motherboard name" audio drivers.

then go through some sites for it .
hopw this help

okay do one thing search for soundmax digital audio driver on google

these driver can work with any audio chip no need look for c media or realtek audio drivers

and download the *.exe file of these drivers so that u don have to scratch ur with device manager .

[oravavaara]

I'm having the same problem on my mom's computer... To avoid confusion:

I have visited the manufacturer's site directly (emachines) and downloaded the audio driver from there- same result (CRASH- not "your computer must reboot for changes) and still "no audio device is installed"

I have run the troubleshoot wizard from add hardware in the control panel- same result

My mom had purchased a copy of Driver Detective- through that utility I found two alternate sites for the driver- same result.

Also, I tried the built in system restore that comes with xp- It won't work. Upon reboot, it says there was an unspecified error.

Also, I tried to reboot from a disk. After selecting the correct drive in the F10 menu, it boots normally.

Only one possibility- zombie computer. It won't heal, it won't die, and it's eating my brains.

WOW. That is SO helpful. I in no way shape or form already did that.

Read posts before you reply to them, please!

[maximBolakHelper]

download normal Soundmax drivers from old motherboards like D865PERL let them force throw add new hardware setup manager and force over the tab that says it is not recommended because it cant verify blablabla it will works
dont install realtek they wont work Your system will reboot

install soundmax drivers manually force them over.

[Mrkanda]

I have a home-built Vintage AE-1 Barebone computer with the Asus K8S-MV/V motherboard with onboard sound SiS 7012. The 7012 drivers don't work and the Realtek AC'97 drivers have the same problems loading as stated earlier in this thread (blank screen, restart before completion). So, are there actually any solutions found out there?

I have ordered a different sound car, but in the meantime I would like to get the existing one working if possible. I already tried loading older versions of the AC'97 driver with no luck. I also tried loading SoundMax drivers after uninstalling the partial AC'97 drivers - no luck. The Gateway driver thing didn't work for my computer. BTW, I just re-installed Windows XP Pro SP2 on a new partition. I also updated my Bios to the latest version. So far, no luck.

Anyone?