Ally

Hi, thanks for the replies! The drivers I tried were the ones in Tootech's link. I've just tried uninstalling and reinstalling again but no luck. I've also just tried to install Service Pack 3 but for some reason it keeps failing. All the other updates work, just not that one. The fan has also been recently taken out and cleaned and the overheating thing seems to be ok now. Just no sound! Plastic Nev - I thought there'd be not a lot I can do if it's a hardware problem :( Guess I'd better start shopping for a new one!

Hi, For rather a long time now, the Realtek AC97 device on my E Systems 3083 laptop (with Windows XP) has not been loading when I switch the computer on. If you look under Sounds and Audio Devices on the Control Panel it just says No Audio Device. I haven't uninstalled it or done anything else dodgy, so I can't see any reason why this happens. Usually it does load if I restart the computer (sometimes on the second or third restart...) and everything is normal. However, for the last week or so, it just hasn't been loading no matter how many times I restart. I've tried reinstalling the drivers as advised on another thread, but no luck. I've also had problems with the computer switching itself off, due to dust getting in the fan and making it stop working and the computer therefore overheating. Could this have affected the sound card? (however, this problem is fairly recent so I don't think it's the original cause of my sound problems) And is there anything I can do to get my sound back?? Thanks!