Dell 4600 No sound -is Realtek AC97 a virus?

[123mc]

Dell 4600 No sound -is Realtek AC97 a virus?
HELP!!!


My stats: Dell Dimenson 4600i with XP SP3

I lost sound -again!

I was advised to download and install:
-R94481 ADI Codec sound driver.
- Intel Chipset- infinst_autol The INF driver.
-R66845 VIP my video driver-ATI 64MB All-in-Wonder 9000 Driver.
After doing this I had sound again(!!) but still got wavey lines on Windows screen at start up along w/ slow/lagging scrolling on all pages..but sound worked!!

When I went to tweak my "mic volume input " I noticed things weren't right. I opened my Device Manager and saw the "Other Devices" and "Video Controller" had those yellow ? marks.
I was advised by Dell to download "Realtek AC97".But when I installed Realtek AC97 I completely lost ALL sound again!!!

I've already dealt w/ losing sound along w/the slow/shakey scrolling on all pages, Realtek hassles, etc a couple times before, including all the Realtek installing problems and hassles.
So just like the last time; I installed Realtek AC97 and at the beginning of Rltk install I get the (usual) warning that "computer doesnt recognize sotware do you want to cont installing?" YES! Then about halfway thru Rltk install comptr screen goes to this blue screen warning me "install is bad, blah blah". While in bluscreen comptr does this computer check w/a countdown then screen goes black, computer then restarts and somehow the Realtek gets installed and ALL is good w/sound, eq and mic control, and no more scrolling problems! I know this is a wacky way to install hardware -but it used to work!!
Am I even supposed to be using Realtek? Or the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 and the Creative Sound Blaster Live?? Dell has both drivers for me to download so I'm never sure...??? Realtek is like a virus.

Except now this isn't happening -I am getting that bluescreen w/countdown but when computer comes back to normal and then my Install Wizard tells me over again and over again to "Install New Hrdwre -Realtek AC97". I try again and no luck.
I really need help and direction w/a permanent solution and a "how to" so I can save it and refer to it whenever this happens again.

Also after Start Up I keep getting:
- "NO ATI graphics" .
-"No INF"
-"No HDI"
-"No Video Controller"
-"Setup was unable to complete the installation try to setup display adapter with standard VGA driver".

Question: Do I need the giant 200 mb ATI Catalyst driver/file set up in order to have sound and scrolling fixed? They're awful giant pig files -like AOL crap.
I never had to have ATI on my computer before. Why now?

Thx for any/all USEFUL solutions and help.

I just did a Driver Sweep and I've removed Realtek, SoundMax, and all ATI .

Here's my recent Dell PC Diagnostics, Hardware Ids, and an Everest Report -below.


Probably way too much info for you but I just want to include everything to help to get this fixed ASAP! Thx again.


General Information:

-Service Tag: H5SBW31
-Model: Dimension 4600i
-Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP-SP3 Professional (32-bit)

Processor:
Manufacturer Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz (CPU:0)

Hardware:
Disk Drives
C: WDC WD400BB-75DEA0
D: WDC WD800BB-00DKA0 MusicDrive -
DVD/CD-ROM: NEC DVD_RW, ND-2510A
Drives
IDE ATA/ATAPI Standard floppy disk controller

Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Intel(R) 82801EB SMBus Controller - 24D3

Keyboard: HID Keyboard Device

Mice and Other Pointing Device:
HID-compliant mouse
USB Human Interface

Monitor: Monitor

Sound Devices: SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio

USB Controllers:
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D2 Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D4 Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D7
USB Keykoard
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24DE Intel(R) 82801EB USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 24DD

HP LaserJet M1319f MFP

USB Port Test
___________________________________________

Other Devices-
Multimedia Audio Controller

Device Instance Id:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_01741028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&FD

Hardware Ids:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&REV_02
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5
PCI\VEN_8086&CC_040100
PCI\VEN_8086&CC_0401
PCI\VEN_8086
PCI\CC_040100
PCI\CC_0401

Video Controller
Device Instance Id:
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5D44&SUBSYS_4C421019&REV_01\4&124 6FE7B&0&0108

Hardware Ids:
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5D44&SUBSYS_4C421019&REV_01
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5D44&SUBSYS_4C421019
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5D44&CC_038000
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5D44&CC_0380

General Information:
Service tag H5SBW31
Computer Model Dimension 4600i

BIOS Vendor Dell Computer Corporation
BIOS Version A12
BIOS Date 08-26-04
Window Version Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Processor:
Manufacture: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz
Clock Speed: 2.7GHz
L2 Cahce Size: 0

Memory:
Available Memory: 61.59%
Page File Size: 1408.0MB
Available Page: File 89.93%
Virtual Memory: 2047.0MB
Available Virtual Memory: 97.64%
Memory: Slot1 [DIMM_A] 0MB
Memory: Slot2 [DIMM_B] 0MB

Network Card
Adaptor: Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVEREST report for computer only :

Report Type Quick Report --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary

Computer: Dell 4600
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name
User Name

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 2666 MHz (20 x 133)
Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 4600i
Motherboard Chipset Intel Springdale-G i865G
System Memory 640 MB (PC2700 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (08/26/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port RIM Virtual Serial Port v2 (COM4)
Communication Port RIM Virtual Serial Port v2 (COM5)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter ATI Radeon 9200 SE (RV280)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9200 SE (RV280)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801EB ICH5 - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-2/A-3]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive WDC WD400BB-75DEA0 (37 GB, IDE)
Disk Drive WDC WD800BB-00DKA0 (74 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive _NEC DVD_RW ND-2510A (DVD+R9:2.4x, DVD+RW:8x/4x, DVD-RW:8x/4x, DVD-ROM:12x, CD:32x/16x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
Optical Drive SONY CD-RW CRX216E (48x/32x/48x CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 38138 MB (1518 MB free)
D: (NTFS) 76316 MB (355 MB free)
Total Size 114454 MB (1873 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Mouse HID-compliant mouse

Network:
Network Adapter Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection (192.168.40.3)
Modem Communications cable between two computers
Modem Standard 300 bps Modem
Modem Standard 300 bps Modem #2
Modem Standard 300 bps Modem #3
Modem Standard Modem

Peripherals:
Printer HP LaserJet M1319f FAX (Copy 1)
Printer HP LaserJet M1319f FAX
Printer HP LaserJet M1319f MFP
Printer HP PSC 1600 series
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB2 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - Enhanced USB2 Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB Device HP EWS 1319
USB Device HP FAX 1319
USB Device HP LaserJet M1319f MFP
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Printing Support

 

[Hazbot]

Ummm...
Realtek is a sound driver. Of course you aren't getting sound if you uninstalled it,I think it was a bad install, install it again. And also reinstall the ATI drivers! For gods sake you're computer speed will slow down like mad without those! If it still doesn't work then Dell didn't build the computer properly.
Also, Ac97 audio? Unless I am mistaken that's a rather old standard. but then again, Dell is a horrible company.

 

[123mc]

Ummm...
Realtek is a sound driver. Of course you aren't getting sound if you uninstalled it,I think it was a bad install, install it again. And also reinstall the ATI drivers! For gods sake you're computer speed will slow down like mad without those! If it still doesn't work then Dell didn't build the computer properly.
Also, Ac97 audio? Unless I am mistaken that's a rather old standard. but then again, Dell is a horrible company.

Thanks anyway (?).

I obviously uninstalled all the drivers mentioned AFTER sound no longer worked -after many trys/attempts/re-installs. They were uninstalled so I can start fresh/over.
FYI: ATI are HUGE files w/tons of unnecessary bulk/crap. The main ATI file is over 200mg = slowing down a computer!
ATI is clearly along the lines of the greedy AOL, Norton, Internet Explorer, etc. All bulky overstuffed files w/lots of crap to slow down and fill a computer w/unwanted, unasked for, and unneeded JUNK.

"AC97" is part of the name of the Realtek AC'97 Driver. Google much?

 

[WR2]

See if this can help: No sound in Windows

 

[loneninja]

So from my understanding everything was working except for your sound, and Dell had you install these.

I was advised to download and install:
-R94481 ADI Codec sound driver.
- Intel Chipset- infinst_autol The INF driver.
-R66845 VIP my video driver-ATI 64MB All-in-Wonder 9000 Driver.
After doing this I had sound again(!!) but still got wavey lines on Windows screen at start up along w/ slow/lagging scrolling on all pages..but sound worked!!

That implies to me that those are the correct sound drivers for your computer, but you lost video drivers in the process which is what causes that laggy scrolling on pages. I believe those are the wrong video drivers, the ATI 64MB All in Wonder 9000 is what they had you install video drivers for, the Dell website lists that shipped with your computer, but I think you have a different video card.

The Everest diagnostic you ran shows this.
Display:
Video Adapter ATI Radeon 9200 SE (RV280)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9200 SE (RV280)

Was the video card changed at some point? I don't know why there would be 2 different video cards listed if that wasn't what happened.


You should get sound back if you install the R94481 ADI Codec sound driver again.
The video should be back working properly without the lag/wavy issues if you install a video driver for a Radeon 9200 SE which can be found here.
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/radeon-prer300-xp.aspx

If this doesn't help I don't think I can be of anymore help.

 

[Hazbot]

Thanks anyway (?).

I obviously uninstalled all the drivers mentioned AFTER sound no longer worked -after many trys/attempts/re-installs. They were uninstalled so I can start fresh/over.
FYI: ATI are HUGE files w/tons of unnecessary bulk/crap. The main ATI file is over 200mg = slowing down a computer!
ATI is clearly along the lines of the greedy AOL, Norton, Internet Explorer, etc. All bulky overstuffed files w/lots of crap to slow down and fill a computer w/unwanted, unasked for, and unneeded JUNK.

"AC97" is part of the name of the Realtek AC'97 Driver. Google much?

... The ATI is a graphic driver, without it graphics don't work, OF COURSE IT'S A BIG FILE. If graphics don't work, computer is slower, you should research drivers. BTW, when I said AC 97 I referred to the audio standard not the driver.

 

[123mc]

Best answer selected by 123mc.