Hi! Recently purchased used gaming machine. Problem is it never had any sound. The first OS was 98 SE but it was buggy and I reformatted and replaced with XP home which fixed the bugs. However, when I could get 98 SE to work I got a message of *Inactive sound entries in registry* but was to concerned about the problems with the OS itself to take a look. Now that I have installed XP my system indicates that there is *no audio device*. I have a VIA AC 97 Enhanced Audio Controller. I just installed a Soundblaster Card in hopes of working around this problem with no luck. If it is a BIOS or Registry problem, how do I fix it? How do I access it? Maybe there is a good site that can walk you through it? I am totally stumped. :-( Thx for any help you can give me.

I have addtl info to the above problem. I am getting *drivers are not installed* messages for PCI Simple Communications and for Video Controller(VGA Compatible)but I Have tried to install these drivers and they will not install. I also have 5 items listed under the IRQ 5, not sure if this affects my prob or not. 3 are Via Rev 5 or later USB, 1 is a Via Ac 97 Enhanced Controller, and 1 is the PCI Simple COmmunications Controller. Could that be it? If so how so, how do you fix it?

HOW TO: Resources for Troubleshooting Sound Problems in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307918

Since you formatted it shouldnt be a registry problem. Sounds to me its all a driver problem. Under device manager how many yellow marks do you show besides hardware devices besides he pci soundcard? I have seen this very thing on a friends and the way I fixed his was during the process of trying to install the driver windows asked me if I wanted it to go to the internet and search for proper drivers. I choose yes and let it do its thing and the next thing I knew they were there. Be patient you will get it. Its not a bios problem its a driver problem. Tell me what you motherboard is.

I was not referring to the soundblaster card. I was referring to the VIA AC 97 Enhanced Audio Controller. Thats the driver that was a pain to get in.

Im currently at work and have my book to the mobo at home but it is a Socket A, 825 if that helps at all. Sorry I dont have more info with me. Ill check at home later for more info. The only two things with yellow marks are the two I listed and they have (?) beside them. But all of my audio shows up in gray color, sound themes, etc. When I check the properties on these items they say that the drivers are fine. Whenever I try to play any music it keeps telling me no device found.:-( I will get more details on the mobo when I get home and post them back. Thx for all the help to everyone!

PCI Simple COmmunications Controller. = Unrecognized Modem Via Ac 97 Enhanced Controller = Soundcard Ac 97 can be part of both the sound and the modem. I have the same onboard sound. I replaced it with a SoundBlaster. If you need a driver for the modem this one might work. http://www.smlink.com/download/IndexAMRWin_XP.html Ac 97 is just the chipset, not the entire soundcard. SoundMax is a common brand to go with the Ac 97. First thing to do is check the motherboard mfg's website for drivers. Also do some searching on www.google.com to learn more about Ac 97. Try setting your bios to the "Safe settings" or default settings. Look on the motherboard and see if there are any jumpers to disable the sound. I have the option in my bios and on the motherboard via a jumper. Sandman