Hi, Basically the problem is, that even though the sound card is detected by the add new h/w wizard, and I install the correct drivers, and the device comes up as working properly in the dev. manager, windows will not recognise it as a sound device. I have tried the original onboard sound, as well as plugging in another sound card and disabling the onboard, both to no avail. The sound device will not show up in the "Sounds and Audio Devices" component in the control panel. I have had this problem befroe but I put it down to a customer botching up install of HD Audio drivers, but this is a fresh install of windows, it's just the basic AC'97 type device, and I installed to right driver the first time. I know it's the right driver because I got it off the m/b manufactures website. I have tried running a sfc, and have checked that the "windows audio" service is running. The only thing that I can think of that might have done it, is I installed power dvd, nero, wmp 11 before I did the drive install, but I don't no if that would have caused the problem. Anyone got any ideas ?

wrong driver. is service pack 2 installed?? if so, add new hardware again, the choice to search the internet for driver should appear. ii've had good success using that process to find those peasky ac97 drivers.

Try installing the mobo chipset drivers then the audio driver.

wrong driver. - I'm definately using the right driver because as I said in my original post, I d/led them off the m/b manufactures website, plus, everest confirms the sound device model. is service pack 2 installed?? - sure is if so, add new hardware again, the choice to search the internet for driver should appear. ii've had good success using that process to find those peasky ac97 drivers. - windows wouldn't find the drivers in this instance, but I'v had nothing but trouble with windows updates for audio drivers most of the time it results in a blue screen for me. i'll try that when I get into work tomorrow syslock. But would the chipset drivers affect non-onboard device aswell? Keeping inmind that this is an Intel chipset not an nvidia one thanx for the input guys.