Computers & Networking

[hcompy]

A few days back, I put my Vista running Acer desktop system to sleep.  When i woke it back up, there was suddenly a problem with the Realtek audio driver.  It will no longer load the driver at all.  I have no idea why.  I've installed, reinstalled, rebooted repeatedly.  It won't roll back, and I'm about to throw the machine against a wall.  So if I installed something like this or this would that solve that problem so I could use my speakers again?  Someone recently sent me a lot of videos to watch and I can't with this problem. 

Thank you for your help.

HC

[DavidDanvers]

It doesn't sound like you've done a whole lot of troubleshooting. Reinstalling a driver without uninstalling it first can sometimes just keep the same settings. Also, in your device manager your driver or hardware may be disabled for some reason, it may also be able to tell you if the hardware or driver is not functioning properly.  Check this out first: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Open-Device-Manager Also, if you have your model number you may be able to find out what hardware you are using (separate sound card, motherboard sound card) and find out any suggestions the maker of the product may have. After those options are exhausted, I would bring it into ur local Geek Squad, they may be able to help figure it out.

Regarding the replacement if you run out of options, I would suggest an internal soundcard so it doesn't become unplugged while in use or break off with any pets or movements of the desktop for different reasons (I've seen USB dongles snap off before don't laugh) Hope this helps!

[hcompy]

No, I troubleshooted for three days actually.  I uninstalled, reinstalled, redid those two a few times with different versions of the Realtek driver.  It's listed in the device manager and the only troubleshooting help I got from Windows was 'update your computer with the new useless things you haven't installed yet'.  Nothing related to audio or anything that I actually have on the computer. I worked it over for three days with other tech people because I know enough to be dangerous to my system really.  It still says 'audio driver will not load'.  I can't roll it back becuase that's grayed out.  My last restore point was so long ago it wasn't funny becuase I've forgotten to do that recently. I've about given up and hooked my mp3 player to my speakers for noise.

Do you think a whole new soundcard is the only option?  Or is this some Vista problem? Since there's some help topics on it on a few different tech sites, I'm guessing I'm not the first.  I can understand the worry about the USB key snapping off. Mine's mostly protected by the couch right now so the furry beasts can't get near them.

[DavidDanvers · Accepted solution]

Good to know you've taken those steps already!  The next step is to find out WHAT card you have, if it's a seperate one or if it's on board motherboard. If it's on board you can just get a new card (which you'll notice an improvement in your sound quality) or if it's a seperate sound card before you get a new one, you can check the maker's website to find out any troubleshooting tips that microsoft may not have. (I'd say the same for motherboards, but with so many out there it can be quite a hassle, may not pan out and will get you better sound quality. Just make sure you have an open PCI slot)

Now I can't say for sure if this will help with the audio driver not loading... just because if it's a deeper problem than just the audio driver, getting a new one isn't gonna help.  Found something similar, would you have the CD driver maybe? http://www.vistax64.com/sound-audio/81535-realtek-audio-driver-problem.html (In the end though getting a new card side steped the whole issue with that problem)

[hcompy]

Thank you.  I'll start shopping for a new sound card then. No, I don't think it came with any CD's.  But thank you.

HC  Vista Home Premium 32-bit. 

[DavidDanvers]

Your local Geek Squad can help you purchase and install a new one.