I need some computer help please

[Frank Marano]

I installed SP2 a month or so back and while it was installing my laptop lost power and was shut off. I rebooted only to find that I needed to reboot in safe mode and then use my system restore disk to get my computer to work right again.



Anywho.....now i do not have sound on my laptop. It is annoying since I like yo listen to music while I surf. What exactly do I need to do to get my sound working again. I know I have a sound card but I dont have any software on a disk to reinstall. When I got to "install hardware" in the control panel, the icon is there but will not open up. Weird, I know. Thanks for any help........

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Is it a brand name computer? Or something put together?

 

[Michelle Widell]

Since it's a laptop, I'd assume it's a brand name computer. You probably don't have the audio driver installed (as well as a host of others that you haven't realized.)



If you right-click on My Computer, Manage, and look in Device Manager, do you see several devices listed with yellow exclamation marks?



Go to the computer manufacturer's website and download the drivers.

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Yea i realized that after posting (about being a laptop).. if you google for the model audio driver you should come up with something if the manufatures website doesn't have it specificly listed.

 

[Frank Marano]

Yeah its a gateway solo 9550.....







Michelle there is nothing under device manager.....the left side is blank. Is that bad....I hope not!!

 

[Jacob Dryer]

 

[Frank Marano]

thanks!

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Let us know if you get it working..

 

[Frank Marano]

no it didnt work. when i go to install it is says installation failed and it doesnt go any furthur.....

 

[Jacob Dryer]

It is windowsXP right?

 

[Frank Marano]

Yes xp home edition.



is there some sort of webiste that can tell me what hardware is instaled then I know exactly what I have?

 

[Jacob Dryer]

goto run and type in msconfig make sure it it normal startup selected (under general tab) and that under the services tab all are enabled. Then reboot and try the file that I linked before again.

 

[Frank Marano]

yes normal startup. I just ran belarc advisor and it says my sound card is ESS Allegro PCI Audio (WDM)

 

[Jacob Dryer]

What about under the services tab? Are they all enabled?

 

[Frank Marano]

yes everything is checked in the service tab

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Sorry I'm at a loss.. need it in front of me to fix it :wacko:

 

[Frank Marano]

lol ok thanks anyway. I might just take it to a local computer shop and see what they say.

 

[Michelle Widell]

Regarding the blank left pane - when you click on Device Manager in Computer Management, you should see a list of devices in the right pane.

 

[Frank Marano]

 

[Richard L]

Check the "Volume" controls. Many Windows installs default all volume controls to off or Mute and you can't get any sound.



Go to control panel, Sound/Audio, and click on the Volume tab, and click the Advanced button.

Check all your devices and insure that Off or Mute is not checked, and that the volume control slide is turn up on max.



Good luck.



...Rich