sound card

I know this might be a stupid question, but I'm new at this whole computer thing.
How can I find out what kind of sound card I have?

 

Not stupid at all, especially if XP didn't identify it.

Go to System Information, Components, Sound Device.

Or download this excellent, free Sys Info tool and look under Multimedia:
http://www.aida32.hu/download/aida32pe_330.exe

Or, open Device Manager and see what is under Sound.

Or, open Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices and see what is listed under Audio.

Or, if the audio was included with the computer, check the manufacturer's site to see what sound is installed.

As a last resort, see what it says on the card.

 

Under "Sounds and Audio Devices" it says that there is no Audio Device, but how can that be? Before I installed Windows XP everything was ok, now I have no sound at all. I don't understand.

 

It seems to have been uninstalled or disabled somehow.

Try right-clicking on My Computer, Properties, Hardware tab. Click the Device Manager button. See if anything under Sound, Game, and Video Controllers is marked in yellow or red indicating it is not working. If there is, try right-clicking it and choosing "Update ". Let XP search for a driver. If everything under Sound looks OK, is there any other device that indicates it is not working or an unknown device?

You might also check that the sound card (if any) is properly seated in its slot and didn't loosen somehow.

When you say, "before I installed XP ", what exactly do you mean? Did you upgrade from another operating system, was this a fresh installation, etc.? In other words, please provide historical details.

This is probably a simple matter of finding and installing a driver for your sound.

 

Problem Fixed!

I fixed the problem!!! Thank you for your help! Ok. here's what I did: I went to My Computer, Properties, Hardware, & Device Manager as you advised, but I didn't find anything in yellow or red under Sound, Video and Game Controllers. There were a couple of things with yellow icons and exclamation marks under Other Devices. This was the CMI8330/C3D Audio Adapter. There were about 4 "files" or whatever they're called there all under the same name and with the yellow icons. So, I tried to right-click and update the driver, as you had said, but I got a message saying that my computer couldn't find it. So, I went to Driverguide.com and found the correct CMI8330/C3D driver for Windows XP. I downloaded it, installed it, then went back to the Device Manager and tried to Update again and it worked! Now, my sound works perfectly well. I hope this helps anyone who was having the same problem as I was. Thanks again Abraxas!

 

I think you are being modest with that "beginner" designation. You deserve a promotion .

MS will provide updates for this driver at Windows Update and you can also keep track of updates at the manufacturer's site here:
http://www.cmedia.com.tw/e_download_01.htm

Just a note about DriverGuide----
This is an excellent resource for drivers, especially hard to find ones. But, be aware that these drivers were submitted by members and some people are quite mistaken about what they submitted. Always try the manufacturer's site first (if you know it) and it is a good idea to read the posts at DG by people who tried the driver to see how they made out with it. Some submissions are not even drivers at all .

 

Yeah, I read people's posts about the driver beforehand and I was a bit hesitant to download it at first, but then I just figured my computer is so messed up as it is that I might as well try it.

BTW: I'm running Windows XP Pro on a Pentium II Processor, if you can believe that, so if I managed to do that, I figured I'd get lucky with this driver.

I am a beginner, though. I kind of try to feel my way around the computer.

 

Well, a little sense of adventure doesn't hurt. It is really too bad how many people are so afraid of breaking their computers that they use them as large paperweights or email devices.

Reading posts in this group will demonstrate that almost anything can be fixed, except lost data. Always back up important things and enjoy!