Windows Vista HP Pavilion dc6700 no audio output device is installed

My friend has the 6700 laptop with Win Vista SP2. Has the dreaded "no audio..." notice on the speaker in bottom right hand corner with the red x. There's no sound except the system sometimes gives a loud beep when some actions are completed. I tried headphones and nothing. Dev Mgr on the Sound says that the device is working. Sound is on in the bios.

I have tried many things from the many articles listed on Google search for this problem. In Dev Mgr uninstall sound, restart; disable, enable; dl new drivers; etc. It shows in Dev Mgr that it's a Broadcom Bluetooth Stereo Audio. But most of the discussion talks about Realtek sound.

Is there an easy way to tell if the sound card is just dead?

 

Hi JAK, I found this:HP Pavilion dv6500, dv6600, and dv6700
Entertainment PCs Maintenance and Service Guide.

http://tim.id.au/laptops/hp/hp pavilion dv6500 6600 6700.pdf
There is no mention of DC 6700 so it might pay to give us some more info. Vista 32 or 64bit OS?
The Audio mentioned seems to be Realtek. Broadcom is Bluetooth from what I see in specs. Neil.

 

It's dv6700. My bad. 32 bit. I guess there's nothing else under sound in Dev Mgr other than the Broadcom. I don't see anything anywhere listing Realtek or any other sound device.

 

According to page four of the manual, it would be either of these two:

Realtek ALC861-VD-GR
Conexant CX20549-12

If you don't see either of those two in Device Manager, something's disconnected/dead.

 

I guess, from some pictures, that it's a pain to replace a laptop sound card, even if it's separate from the hdd. Are the external usb sound cards good? Do they have their own speakers?

 

Most of the HP laptops that I've worked on had system board sound integration.

 

Hi JAK, Because it's running Vista - it's not a "newish" model - perhaps you might suggest your friend buy a newer model as the prices are pretty good.
To strip the laptop and install a new motherboard or sound board would not be economic. Just my thoughts. Neil.

 

He's financially challenged right now,
Thanks for help.

 

Have a look at this link: Bestbuy USB Sound card external
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/computer-cards-components/sound-cards/abcat0507003.c?id=abcat0507003
Neil.

 

Great, thanks.