Anyone know anything about soundcards?

[Sue Lahna]

I currently have a soundless computer. Upon my brother installing some...er...less than legal Word '10 and installing some Windows 7 updates, it has since vanished from existence. The device does not show up on device manager or anything.

I have tried anything. My brother and I have virus scanned and install countless drivers and we're at our wits end. The best we've done is gotten the sound back for maybe three hours before shutting it down, only to turn it back on and find it has vanished again.

Is it hardware or software?

If its hardware, how the heck do I get it fixed without paying $$$$ out my bum? As far as I've been told, most sound cards are basically made with the motherboard, so it looks I'll need someone with Tony Stark capabilities or higher.

-sigh-

And yes, I have been tempted on more than one occasion to throw this thing at the wall.

[leahzero]

If you don't have a sound card, then you have onboard sound built into your motherboard.

It's possible the onboard sound chip died, but unlikely, especially since you mention certain significant software events (installing pirated software and OS updates) that directly preceded the loss of sound. Also, if it works intermittently, it's unlikely to be a hardware problem. (Check that all your speakers and such are plugged in firmly, though.)

Troubleshooting things like this are usually more work than they're worth. If you don't have someone who's tech-savvy to help you, I suggest you just back up your data, reformat, and reinstall Windows 7. And leave out the pirated software this time. ;)

Most likely your problem is the Windows Updates conflicting with drivers for your sound card. Check the web site of your motherboard's manufacturer for updated sound and other drivers.

ETA: if it is a failure of the onboard sound chip, you can just buy a cheap sound card, stick it in one of your PCI slots in the mobo, and use that instead. Much more economic than paying to fix or replace the motherboard--assuming you have a free slot.

[backslashbaby]

ETA: Crosspost! Sorry :)

It would almost have to be software, unless the card failed coincidentally with all the installs -- probably not.

If you can peek at it and see the make and model, there should be a driver online for it.

If you can't figure out what the heck it is and no generic drivers work, it's easy to install another. Lots of soundcards work with many systems. To be sure, google your motherboard or exact system info if you bought your computer already built. Should be no problem, and they are generally pretty cheap for just the basics.

Good luck, and feel free to ask for more details if you like. If you can find out the name of yours and the driver won't work, we can troubleshoot that, too...

[Sue Lahna]

Mine is (as far as I can tell) called a Conexant Soundcard, that is supposed to work with the lovely and beautious Altec Lansing speakers on my shiny HP laptop.

I have already gone through and wipped the computer clean of everything and anything, reinstalled Windows 7. It apparently, according to my brother who went through all of this for me while I was at the doctors office, worked for another hour and is then gone again.

My friend Nick, who is nick named Tony Stark for good reason, says there may be a loose connection in the internal workings that could be causing the problem.

@Leah: I've looked into one of those PCI soundcards, and if I have to I might end up with that, but it would suck to lose my nice internal speakers. I'm in college, and I take this thing everywhere, so it would be nye impossible to lug those things around.

Anyway, the brosef has promised he will try to bring in into work (he currently works at Staples with Nick and a bunch of his other friends) soon as they ok it and give it a look over. My computer is currently naked, free of everything except Word, and it feels violated and wrong :/

[benbradley]

A PCI card is for desktop machines and won't fit in a laptop anyway.

[Sue Lahna]

Thanks, my brother just got back and informed me of this too.
-grumble grumble-
I would give my left thumb for my sound back.

[backslashbaby]

Ooooh, a laptop is a different story because they are so hard to crack into, often. If it works and then doesn't work, that does sound like it could be hardware, coincidental as it seems. Bummer! Wishing your friend luck, anyway :)