No sound!

[Essex man]

I have a custom built pc using an Asus M2n32 sli deluxe motherboard with onboard sound. The machine is and has been running perfectly for many months but without sound. I believe I have Soundmax integrated digital hd audio. I have installed the drivers that came with the motherboard and had no problems. My device manager shows no problem devices. Indeed, under the section sound, video and game controllers the soundmax drivers are there, and windows tells me they are working properly. The only thing I can find is in the properties tab, under audio devices, the ADI UAA function driver for high definition audio status is showing enabled but not functioning properly .

 

I have done some research on the internet and found many updates for Soundmax and Windows XP hotfix. None have worked. I have re-installed the software many times and downloaded later versions, but still no sound.

 

I am currently running Windows XP sp3. Any ideas?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

If the sound has never worked as I think that is what you are saying, I suspect there is a faulty chip on the mother board.

If there is still any warranty left on the motherboard, I would be looking for a replacement board.

However if no warranty, I can only suggest a separate sound card could be installed.

I doubt a further look around for drivers or reinstalling them will work, as you say you have tried that already.

Nev.

[Essex man]

Hi thanks for that. We had used the board in a previous machine where the sound had worked fine. I also forgot to mention that I had also tried a soundblaster live card in the machine but that had similar results. Finds the card, installs the software and drivers but does nothing. I have checked for windows updates but I am running sp3 and most of the Hotfix stuff doesnt apply. There appears to be lots of issues with this Soundmax onboard sound. Weird!

[snow]

Hi,

 

Are you sure the speakers/headphones that you are using with it are working OK? If you installed a soundblaster live card, then you should plug directly into the audio ports on the back of it.

 

Is the system volume in windows set correctly (not mute?)

 

Under sound and audio devices in control panel, what devices is windows set to use? It should be the soundblaster if you have that still installed.

[Essex man]

Ahh, if only it were that simple. My control panel, sound and audio devices properties says:

No audio device under volume;

Under Sounds I can choose between no sounds and windows default, neither produce any sounds, in face the play back arrow is greyed out.

Under the Audio tab, it shows no playback devices for Recording, playback and midi.

 

Under the hardware tab, the Soundmax driver is present and under status is working properly but the UAA ADI function driver for high definition audio is enabled but not functioning properly.

 

The Soundmax driver that came with the motherboard driver cd states that the microsoft hd audio hotfix must be installed before the audio driver but with my windows xp sp3 version it tells me the software hotfix is not need.

 

I have contacted Asus, and although there appears to be a lot of interest in Soundmax there are no solutions.

[Essex man]

I just tried installing the Soundblaster Live card again. Installs ok, install driver cd. update to latest drivers on internet. No sound. Windows says no Audio device. Sound driver enabled but not functioning properly.

 

So, windows default sound not working. On board Soundmax sound chip not working. Soundblaster live pci card does not work. All show same fault.

 

Is there another way I can get sound from the pc. How about one of those USB port things. Seem cheap enough.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, we have come across a problem with the installation of sound drivers when service pack 3 has been installed, but this was on systems running the Intel AC97 sound system, I am now wondering if the same applies with your soundmax system.

This now depends on how and which operating system you installed on this machine.

If it was XP service pack 2 then a simple uninstall of service pack 3 which will revert you back to SP2 may then allow the install or a correct install of drivers.

However if the operating system installed already had SP3 integrated and part of the XP disk, I am not sure if a roll back to SP2 is possible.

Have a look in "Add and Remove Programs" Make sure the box for show all updates is ticked at the top, and see if SP3 is listed. If so, uninstall it and then try the drivers again. Uninstall all those there first, then try a fresh install.

Let us know how you get on.

Nev.

[Tony D]

Go to START > RUN and type in services.msc then hit the ENTER key. Check if Windows audio is running. If it isn't, set it to auto, click OK and see what happens.

[Essex man]

Thanks for all the help. Firstly, I had the same problem with onboard sound with the original installed xp. I only upgraded to sp3 thinking it might help.

 

I ran services.msc and audio is running and set to auto.

 

Would a USB sound thingy do the job without using motherboard sound circuit, as it looks like there is a prob with board.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again, it does seem likely there is something wrong with the sound path on the motherboard. How much of that path is used when an outboard USB device is plugged in, I honestly don't know, nor if the faulty part would be in the way. If you do buy a USB device, make sure you have the right to take it back with full refund if it doesn't work, is about the best I can offer.

I would be looking at replacing the motherboard myself now.

The only other thing left could be a problem with the operating system itself, if a file didn't install correctly, but that to happen without other problems is extremely unlikely.

However if you have a full windows disk a run of SFC /Scannow, might find a faulty file and correct it, to do this, click start, run, then copy and paste into the box-

 

sfc /scannow

 

note the space between sfc, and the / if typing it in.

Other than that a full reinstall or at least a repair of Windows would do the same but do back up all your stuff first.

Nev.

[Essex man]

Just an outside chance. Could a Bios update cause the loss of sound. I forgot to mention I have updated bios, although it went ok with no problems.

 

cheers

[Essex man]

If I were to upgrade motherboard from Asus m2n32sli deluxe to something newer, what sli motherboards are out there that have good compatability

 

Many thanks

[Essex man]

Or, is it possible to reinstall the Audio element of windows without a complete reinstall. Also, is there another way to connect an audio output from my motherboard Asus M2N32sli deluxe, without using the audio connectors eg. USB or buy connecting line jacks into an audio amplifier.

 

Cheers

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, I am still a little puzzled by the error message you got "Sound driver enabled but not functioning properly"

Was this with the sound card in, or do you still get it with the card out?

It may be there is something wrong with Windows itself, that can be cured with a Windows repair as that actually replaces all the Windows files, but you will need a full Windows disk, not a recovery disk, and it must also be of the same type as the operating system as it is now, for example Windows XP Home.

If you do have a disk have a look here for instructions on doing a Windows repair.-

Windows XP Home Repair Guide

 

Scroll down to the section on doing the repair, please take careful note of the instruction to press enter and not "R" for the first part of the repair process, only press "R" later in the process.

Nev.

[Essex man]

Driving me mad. Obviously something fundamental, like you say I will probably have to reinstall windows.

 

Thanks for the help anyway

 

Cheers, Mike