High Definition Silence

For the first time in a while, I turned my Dimension E521 on and decided to
finish setting it up. Along the way, I realized that the SigmaTel High
Definition Audio was not working. This system is running Windows XP Pro SP3
(no Vista here).

In the Device Manager, the SigmaTel audio device is shown with a yellow !
and Windows claims that "This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)". From what I've
been able to gather, the cause of this problem is not having the Microsoft
UAA driver package installed (this is the infamous KB888111 hotfix). Common
belief seems to indicate that Service Pack 3 does not come with the UAA
drivers integrated.

Microsoft has not produced a version of this update for XP SP3. And therein
seems to lie the problem. I don't care about "HD" audio in the slightest and
am this close to simply stuffing a PCI sound card of some sort in there and
being done with it.

But it would be nice if the onboard audio system could be used...any ideas
as to how I can get there? (No, I can't uninstall SP3, install the hotfix
and reinstall SP3. The XP install media for this machine already includes
SP3. Dell probably can't help--not only was this machine rebuilt after a
direct hit to the motherboard, it also ran Vista originally.)

William

sounds like you don't have the proper drivers for the audio and who know
what else is missing
"William R. Walsh" m
wrote in message news2yPk.418132$yE1.204122@attbi_s21...
For the first time in a while, I turned my Dimension E521 on and decided
to
finish setting it up. Along the way, I realized that the SigmaTel High
Definition Audio was not working. This system is running Windows XP Pro
SP3
(no Vista here).

In the Device Manager, the SigmaTel audio device is shown with a yellow !
and Windows claims that "This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)". From what
I've
been able to gather, the cause of this problem is not having the Microsoft
UAA driver package installed (this is the infamous KB888111 hotfix).
Common
belief seems to indicate that Service Pack 3 does not come with the UAA
drivers integrated.

Microsoft has not produced a version of this update for XP SP3. And
therein
seems to lie the problem. I don't care about "HD" audio in the slightest
and
am this close to simply stuffing a PCI sound card of some sort in there
and
being done with it.

But it would be nice if the onboard audio system could be used...any ideas
as to how I can get there? (No, I can't uninstall SP3, install the hotfix
and reinstall SP3. The XP install media for this machine already includes
SP3. Dell probably can't help--not only was this machine rebuilt after a
direct hit to the motherboard, it also ran Vista originally.)

William

William R. Walsh,
Check and see if you have the following sound driver file:
C:\dell\drivers\R132395\R132395.exe
If not then you will need install the sound driver from the Driver CD, or
download it from the Dell Driver webpage.

My E521 came preinstalled with some Creative Sound Drivers and programs.
Since I did not have that card in my PC, I uninstalled those drivers and
software. You might also consider uninstalling the SigmaTel drivers Reboot
PC Let Windows find the hardware, and then install the Sound Driver
R132395.exe Reboot PC .
--
Have a Good Day,
Rich/rerat


"William R. Walsh" m
wrote in message news2yPk.418132$yE1.204122@attbi_s21...
For the first time in a while, I turned my Dimension E521 on and decided to
finish setting it up. Along the way, I realized that the SigmaTel High
Definition Audio was not working. This system is running Windows XP Pro SP3
(no Vista here).

In the Device Manager, the SigmaTel audio device is shown with a yellow !
and Windows claims that "This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)". From what I've
been able to gather, the cause of this problem is not having the Microsoft
UAA driver package installed (this is the infamous KB888111 hotfix). Common
belief seems to indicate that Service Pack 3 does not come with the UAA
drivers integrated.

Microsoft has not produced a version of this update for XP SP3. And therein
seems to lie the problem. I don't care about "HD" audio in the slightest and
am this close to simply stuffing a PCI sound card of some sort in there and
being done with it.

But it would be nice if the onboard audio system could be used...any ideas
as to how I can get there? (No, I can't uninstall SP3, install the hotfix
and reinstall SP3. The XP install media for this machine already includes
SP3. Dell probably can't help--not only was this machine rebuilt after a
direct hit to the motherboard, it also ran Vista originally.)

William

Hi!

I believe that I have the correct driver. It's been downloaded
directly from the web site. Looking at the dead motherboard that was
in the computer, I find there is definitely a SigmaTel STAC9227 on the
board.

This system shipped with Vista. It is now running Windows XP Pro SP3
from a clean installation. All of the chipset drivers, video drivers
and network drivers are properly installed and seem to be working
fine.

I'm not sure if Dell ever officially supported this computer under XP,
but it works fine outside of the sound. I do not feel that support (or
lack of support) for operating systems outside of Vista is the
problem. If could get the Microsoft UAA driver update to install, I am
pretty confident the sound would work.

William

William,
I bought an E521 w/amd 2.2 GHz 3500+ processor from the factory outlet w/XP
Media Center 2005, 1/8/07, with the Vista upgrade disk, and Dell has support
for it. For both XP and Vista. I have upgraded it to XP SP3. So its been out
awhile.

XP Sound Driver: R132395.exe
Vista Sound Driver: R157052.exe

You may need to uninstall the sound driver installed, reboot, then download
and install a fresh driver for XP. I would also make sure that everything
related to Creative is also uninstalled, before installing the SigMatel
driver.

Just a wild idea, I would also check you media players installed on your PC.
Make sure that the volume settings on the players, are not muted, or turned
down real low. I have had experiences in the past that the volume settings
in RealPlayer, would take control of the other volume settings on the
computer.


--
Have a Good Day,
Rich/rerat


"William R. Walsh" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I believe that I have the correct driver. It's been downloaded
directly from the web site. Looking at the dead motherboard that was
in the computer, I find there is definitely a SigmaTel STAC9227 on the
board.

This system shipped with Vista. It is now running Windows XP Pro SP3
from a clean installation. All of the chipset drivers, video drivers
and network drivers are properly installed and seem to be working
fine.

I'm not sure if Dell ever officially supported this computer under XP,
but it works fine outside of the sound. I do not feel that support (or
lack of support) for operating systems outside of Vista is the
problem. If could get the Microsoft UAA driver update to install, I am
pretty confident the sound would work.

William

Hi!

I bought an E521 w/amd 2.2 GHz 3500+ processor from the
factory outlet w/XP Media Center 2005, 1/8/07, with the
Vista upgrade disk, and Dell has support for it. For both
XP and Vista. I have upgraded it to XP SP3. So its been
out awhile.

Good to know that. I thought it might have been offered with XP in
some edition but was not sure.

XP Sound Driver: R132395.exe

This is definitely the driver I have.

You may need to uninstall the sound driver installed,
reboot, then download and install a fresh driver for XP.

I don't see any way to uninstall the driver--there's nothing in Add/
Remove Programs pertaining to it.

I would also make sure that everything related to
Creative is also uninstalled, before installing the
SigMatel driver.

I have no Creative software on this system.

Just a wild idea, I would also check you media players
installed on your PC. Make sure that the volume settings
on the players, are not muted, or turned down real low.

Check. The audio hardware is definitely not functional. iTunes in
particular has complained about this and told me to make sure that the
drivers are working. They're not. :-(

I do appreciate all of your suggestions and the information about your
system being preloaded with XP. I really think I've got to get past
the UAA hotfix hurdle before the sound circuitry has any chance of
working.

I've got a few more ideas before I give up and put a PCI sound card in
there.

William

On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 09:51:41 -0800 (PST), "William R. Walsh"
wrote:

Hi!

I bought an E521 w/amd 2.2 GHz 3500+ processor from the
factory outlet w/XP Media Center 2005, 1/8/07, with the
Vista upgrade disk, and Dell has support for it. For both
XP and Vista. I have upgraded it to XP SP3. So its been
out awhile.

Good to know that. I thought it might have been offered with XP in
some edition but was not sure.

XP Sound Driver: R132395.exe

This is definitely the driver I have.

You may need to uninstall the sound driver installed,
reboot, then download and install a fresh driver for XP.

I don't see any way to uninstall the driver--there's nothing in Add/
Remove Programs pertaining to it.



Excuse me for butting in as I haven't followed this thread but to
uninstall the driver, I'd go to the device manager (XP) to do this.
Then you can reinstall. Not sure if you have to reboot in between (my
guess not) but it can't hurt either way.

i have an dimension 531 that came with vista but was initially booted from
an xp cd and loaded with xp...
my notes state that i used the dell 'vista' driver for the modem, after
installation it required a reboot, and then when rebooted appeared with a
yellow bang (!) in device manager. clicking 'reinstall driver' in device
manager fixed it.

"Rich/rerat" wrote in message
...
William,
I bought an E521 w/amd 2.2 GHz 3500+ processor from the factory outlet
w/XP
Media Center 2005, 1/8/07, with the Vista upgrade disk, and Dell has
support
for it. For both XP and Vista. I have upgraded it to XP SP3. So its been
out
awhile.

XP Sound Driver: R132395.exe
Vista Sound Driver: R157052.exe

You may need to uninstall the sound driver installed, reboot, then
download
and install a fresh driver for XP. I would also make sure that everything
related to Creative is also uninstalled, before installing the SigMatel
driver.

Just a wild idea, I would also check you media players installed on your
PC.
Make sure that the volume settings on the players, are not muted, or
turned
down real low. I have had experiences in the past that the volume settings
in RealPlayer, would take control of the other volume settings on the
computer.


--
Have a Good Day,
Rich/rerat


"William R. Walsh" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I believe that I have the correct driver. It's been downloaded
directly from the web site. Looking at the dead motherboard that was
in the computer, I find there is definitely a SigmaTel STAC9227 on the
board.

This system shipped with Vista. It is now running Windows XP Pro SP3
from a clean installation. All of the chipset drivers, video drivers
and network drivers are properly installed and seem to be working
fine.

I'm not sure if Dell ever officially supported this computer under XP,
but it works fine outside of the sound. I do not feel that support (or
lack of support) for operating systems outside of Vista is the
problem. If could get the Microsoft UAA driver update to install, I am
pretty confident the sound would work.

William

your problem was with audio, not modem... on my dimension 531, after
installing the chipset drivers found on gigabyte's web site
(chipset_nvidia_mcp61_2kxp.exe) i used the dell audio driver for the vostros
400, file name r162030.exe, withthe description of "Audio-RealtekALC888". i
don't think service pack 3 has anything to do with your problem. this
driver worked initially with sp1, after thesp2 update done upon initial
install a year ago, as well as with the recent sp3 update.

"Christopher Muto" wrote in message
...
i have an dimension 531 that came with vista but was initially booted from
an xp cd and loaded with xp...
my notes state that i used the dell 'vista' driver for the modem, after
installation it required a reboot, and then when rebooted appeared with a
yellow bang (!) in device manager. clicking 'reinstall driver' in device
manager fixed it.

"Rich/rerat" wrote in message
...
William,
I bought an E521 w/amd 2.2 GHz 3500+ processor from the factory outlet
w/XP
Media Center 2005, 1/8/07, with the Vista upgrade disk, and Dell has
support
for it. For both XP and Vista. I have upgraded it to XP SP3. So its been
out
awhile.

XP Sound Driver: R132395.exe
Vista Sound Driver: R157052.exe

You may need to uninstall the sound driver installed, reboot, then
download
and install a fresh driver for XP. I would also make sure that everything
related to Creative is also uninstalled, before installing the SigMatel
driver.

Just a wild idea, I would also check you media players installed on your
PC.
Make sure that the volume settings on the players, are not muted, or
turned
down real low. I have had experiences in the past that the volume
settings
in RealPlayer, would take control of the other volume settings on the
computer.


--
Have a Good Day,
Rich/rerat


"William R. Walsh" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I believe that I have the correct driver. It's been downloaded
directly from the web site. Looking at the dead motherboard that was
in the computer, I find there is definitely a SigmaTel STAC9227 on the
board.

This system shipped with Vista. It is now running Windows XP Pro SP3
from a clean installation. All of the chipset drivers, video drivers
and network drivers are properly installed and seem to be working
fine.

I'm not sure if Dell ever officially supported this computer under XP,
but it works fine outside of the sound. I do not feel that support (or
lack of support) for operating systems outside of Vista is the
problem. If could get the Microsoft UAA driver update to install, I am
pretty confident the sound would work.

William

Hi!
i don't think service pack 3 has anything to do with your problem.

It doesn't...at least not directly. The Realtek ALC drivers include the UAA
hotfix. And that's the piece I feel very strongly that I need to get things
working. But it won't install on SP3, telling me that the hotfix is not
necessary.

The concensus on many a WWW forum seems to indicate otherwise...that SP3
does *not* contain the UAA hotfix.

I've stumbled across something that may be a major help. But I'll wait until
I see it work before I post with great enthusiasm. I've been waving a Sound
Blaster Live! around as a warning to the SigmaTel chipset. g

(I've also taken my mind off the problem by playing with a nice little
Compaq Evo D500 SFF machine. But that's another group...)

William