Computer Wizz Peeps in here, please help

[tommyboy]

Hi all,

I've got a problem with my Dell Dimension 3100 desktop :dapprove: I'm not fantastic with computers so excuse me if Im not making sense :S

Basically the problem is that the sound driver (I think) is failing when I start/restart the computer. I've gone to computer management, device manager and it keeps coming up with this warning type exclamation mark on "SigmaTel high definition audio CODEC." The weird thing is that when I right click it as it is and disable it, then right click again and enable, it works... go into properties etc says this device is working fine etc.. It's confusing because it works when you fiddle around with it but the thing is I shouldn't have to, IT SHOULD WORK ON STARTUP NO WORRIES!! :dapprove: :dapprove:

How do I go about fixing it.....???? I'll attach a print screen below to explain the sigmatel driver failing in picture.

Help would be superduper. Cheers for reading

 

[DrR]

Does the sound work? without disabling then enabling it?

 

[Mike-bham]

My Norton Antivirus kept stopping mine a couple of days ago, had to take it off and re install it, and now its fine...

 

[tommyboy]

 

[tommyboy]

Does the sound work? without disabling then enabling it?

Nope nothing, I have to disable it then enable the device to get it working mate. If I try play music in media player etc just fails says sound device not found etc... this is such an annoying problem because I have to do this everytime I start it up now. :dapprove:

 

[Mike-bham]

Does the sound work? without disabling then enabling it?

Nope nothing, I have to disable it then enable the device to get it working mate. If I try play music in media player etc just fails says sound device not found etc... this is such an annoying problem because I have to do this everytime I start it up now. :dapprove:

Exactly what mine did when Norton buggered up....

 

[tommyboy]

I've got McAffee 06, it's not buggered or anything never had a virus etc.. I just want to know what to do rather than ring up Dell and talk to someone half way round the world lol

 

[DrR]

Reinstall the sound card drivers

 

[cava83]

remove the devide by dissabling it, then it should dissapear from the list.

Search for new devices, then it should find it again.

If this fails.

Simply get the tag number from the back of the comp.

Go to the dell website support section.

Input the tag number and all the required drivers should be there.

Find the audio one and install it.

That should sort it out.

Let me know, or PM me for further stuff.

 

[Noodle999]

As DrRollo says, simplest solution may be just reinstalling the drivers.

However you might want to go into the properties of the device and see what the yellow exclamanation mark is denoting... it'll give you one of a few errors that can cause that to display.

 

[tommyboy]

remove the devide by dissabling it, then it should dissapear from the list.

Search for new devices, then it should find it again.

If this fails.

Simply get the tag number from the back of the comp.

Go to the dell website support section.

Input the tag number and all the required drivers should be there.

Find the audio one and install it.

That should sort it out.

Let me know, or PM me for further stuff.

Searching for new devices doesn't work so Im guessing I need to go to dell website download new drivers? I've found the tag and am going to look for sigmatel audio drivers on the website once I enter the tag if that's the right thing to do

 

[cava83]

it should pick it up.

Yes do what you have said.

Dell website, audio drivers.



Should be fine after that.

 

[TheCake]

Yup i'm with Gabi on this

 

[tommyboy]

Downloaded and just finished installing new drivers... really hope this works. Will report back once I've restarted/shut down/booted up a few times, hopefully without the device failing.

Cheers for the help so far guys. Back soon

 

[cava83]

should only need to boot up once.

Good luck

 

[tommyboy]

should only need to boot up once.

Good luck

:dapprove: :dapprove: :dapprove: ....No luck. It's still failing on startup. FFS I put my tag in on the Dell site found the right audio drivers, downloaded, installed restarted and bang failing to start already. Im getting another printscreen...

 

[tommyboy]

 

[tommyboy]

If there isn't much else I can do, and I've had the computer since July is there any chance Dell can fix it or send a new one lol??? but seriously...

 

[Andy.]

It is just the high definitiion audio codec, you should still have sound without it so can't you just disable it?

 

[tommyboy]

Yep just the high definition audio codec that's failing mate. I don't have sound at all that's the problem, until I disable it and enable it again.... :S

 

[cava83]

repair install with windows CD incase anything is corrupt.

 

[tommyboy]

repair install with windows CD incase anything is corrupt.

think Im going to have to do though don't think I got one with the comp!!

Dell will be getting abuse tomorrow me thinks. Do you reckon I'll be able to get a new base if it's knackered?

 

[cava83]

doubt its knackered, Dell support is ok, i just cannot understand them.

Its always worth paying that £5 to get the CD. !!!!

Which dimension is it, could zip up a CD for you to download and burn.

 

[tommyboy]

doubt its knackered, Dell support is ok, i just cannot understand them.

Its always worth paying that £5 to get the CD. !!!!

Which dimension is it, could zip up a CD for you to download and burn.

Yeah I was arrogant towards Dell trying to sell me a load of s**t... turns out that CD isn't so s**t. :S

It's a 3100 matey. What would I have to do once I've got the disc? Either via zip or getting one off Dell. Is it easy?

 

[cava83]

Dimension, GX, optiplex, which model?

If I have it, i can upload it onto a website, you need to download it, extract it and then burn it onto a CD.

 

[tommyboy]

Dimension, GX, optiplex, which model?

If I have it, i can upload it onto a website, you need to download it, extract it and then burn it onto a CD.

It's a Dimension 3100 matey. cheers! I really need to do something as it's still playing up.. :dapprove:

 

[cava83]

Have the majority of the models but not the 3100!!!

Phone dell mate.

Let me know.

G.

Dimension, GX, optiplex, which model?

If I have it, i can upload it onto a website, you need to download it, extract it and then burn it onto a CD.

It's a Dimension 3100 matey. cheers! I really need to do something as it's still playing up.. :dapprove:

 

[tommyboy]

Have the majority of the models but not the 3100!!!

Phone dell mate.

Let me know.

G.

It's a Dimension 3100 matey. cheers! I really need to do something as it's still playing up.. :dapprove:

Bummer :dapprove:

OK mate, Im cleaning the car over today and a few other bits may not ring till tomorrow incase they want me to get back on the pc for hours today :S . Will report back tomorrow more likely. Thanks for your help.

Tom

 

[FiDoDiDo]

Have you tried installing the driver from the Dell support site?

http://support.euro.dell.com/suppor...=1&vercnt=2&formatcnt=1&libid=3&fileid=150155

 

[cava83]

Its strange how its suddenly just been playing up. Unless u just simply want me to upload a windows version, not specific for the dell.

I dont know

Good luck though, let me know how u get on.

G.

Have the majority of the models but not the 3100!!!

Phone dell mate.

Let me know.

G.

Bummer :dapprove:

OK mate, Im cleaning the car over today and a few other bits may not ring till tomorrow incase they want me to get back on the pc for hours today :S . Will report back tomorrow more likely. Thanks for your help.

Tom

 

[tommyboy]

Have you tried installing the driver from the Dell support site?

http://support.euro.dell.com/suppor...=1&vercnt=2&formatcnt=1&libid=3&fileid=150155

Done that cheers mate, it's freakishly been working last few switch on's :S

Will see how it continues to go though

 

[tommyboy]

Its strange how its suddenly just been playing up. Unless u just simply want me to upload a windows version, not specific for the dell.

I dont know

Good luck though, let me know how u get on.

G.

Yep, very strange indeed :dapprove: as above posted, it has been working last few switch on's. As in the speaker icon is there once the desktop loads etc and the sound works fine. Will see how it goes and I'll let you know mate. Upto you on the uploading stuff!

Tom


Bummer :dapprove:

OK mate, Im cleaning the car over today and a few other bits may not ring till tomorrow incase they want me to get back on the pc for hours today :S . Will report back tomorrow more likely. Thanks for your help.

Tom

 

[stuartp44]

Just one thing to consider m8, i have about 10 of theese at the school i work at and there is a design fault with the dimension there Chassi are very weak and slite movment knocks the PCI card out, use the quick release tags on your Chassi to open it and then make sure you sound card is in correctly, it will probably be on board but they did at one point give you the option to upgrade to dobly 5.1 sound card because the onboard didnt suport it.

Have a go and give us a PM if your stuck, being in the trade and working closly with DELL i know there weaknesses and problems

Stuart

 

[tommyboy]

Just one thing to consider m8, i have about 10 of theese at the school i work at and there is a design fault with the dimension there Chassi are very weak and slite movment knocks the PCI card out, use the quick release tags on your Chassi to open it and then make sure you sound card is in correctly, it will probably be on board but they did at one point give you the option to upgrade to dobly 5.1 sound card because the onboard didnt suport it.

Have a go and give us a PM if your stuck, being in the trade and working closly with DELL i know there weaknesses and problems

Stuart

Ah ok I see. Im not on my pc now but can have a go tomorrow What does the PCI card look like? any quick diagrams I can look for as Im not sure what I'll be looking for, Im such a useless person with PC's sometimes. I got an upgrade on my speakers to these

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&cs=ukdhs1&sku=520-10578

It's weird you should mention this because I was starting to think whether to have it open tomorrow to see if anything is loose etc. If you can help me with identifying the PCI card, that would be super!

Tom

 

[stuartp44]

http://www.alibaba.com/sitemap/archives/images/qu50054872bo_Sound_Card_CMI_8738_4CH.jpg

Thats a PCI sound card, but there is one question i forgot to ask when did you buy this computer? if it was lately it will mean its in the newer Chassi which dont suffer from this anymore. If you have a ruf estimate i can judge it from that.

Stuart

 

[tommyboy]

Nice one on the PCI image thanks

I got it in June/July this year matey, only had the problem last couple of weeks though

 

[stuartp44]

ah maybe not then is the case black or white if its white its the newer Chassi theese dont suffer from it, if it is black get it open and have a quick check. BTW if the problem keeps getting to you get it back for repair dont let them get away with it you get a years warrenty with them as standard i shouldnt really be your problem they will come and pick it up and drop it back off once its fixed, they may even send a enginer out good luck m8 hope you fix it

Stuart

 

[tommyboy]

ah maybe not then is the case black or white if its white its the newer Chassi theese dont suffer from it, if it is black get it open and have a quick check. BTW if the problem keeps getting to you get it back for repair dont let them get away with it you get a years warrenty with them as standard i shouldnt really be your problem they will come and pick it up and drop it back off once its fixed, they may even send a enginer out good luck m8 hope you fix it

Stuart

the outer casing is black and grey?? lol useless me!

it's pretty much this matey ^^^. yeah if I've still got probs Im going to get onto Dell and get it repaired, only thing is I've got loads of music on it now Will have to back it up maybe. thanks again for your help will let you know how I get on when I have a look at it tomorrow.

Tom

 

[Jo3y]

Could be a lose connection as Stuart says but if it isn't...

Have you installed anything recently that might have stopped it working? Is there anything listed under the startup folder in the start menu?

Might also be worth checking the event viewer (Click-Start-Run then type 'eventvwr' and press enter), take a look in all the lists in there and look against the time you last resarted the computer to see if there are any errors or warnings, this might give you a better idea of what's causing the problem.

 

[tommyboy]

got the event viewer up... the sound has worked ok the 3 times I've used the computer today but it's showing errors on there??? What are they if anyone knows???!!!