I inadvertently deleted my multimedia audio controller. I had SoundMax on my system, but when trying to open the interface, I got a message saying that it wasn't present. However, I did see the icons on the All Programs menu as well as in Control Panel. No matter what I tried, it wouldn't open. So, I uninstalled it.

Since then, no sound, nothing. Trying to get drivers, answers, everything's been frustrating.

I also noticed that the system told me that new hardware was installed. This, I don't quite understand.

I tried to update the drivers automatically but nothing was successful.

I really would appreciate any help and advice on solving this problem. I miss my music!

Thanks!

Windows has default sound controller (assuming you are using Windows).. Go to control panel and go to Sounds and Devices.

If you do not see your device, then most likely driver is missing.

First get your sound back with Default sound device and then try installing the SoundMax driver again.

There are 2 sets of drivers for soundmax

Do you know model of motherboard?
-do you have an HP PC, if not, which model intel motherboard?

First thing to do is go to device mgr
-right click on My Computer
-click on properties
-go to hardware tab
-click on device mgr

Go down to Sound, Video, game controllers and click the + sign
-You should see your sound device listed there or something with a yellow mark

What is listed there as sound device or what has yellow mark?
-whichever it is, right click and choose uninstall and say OK

Close all windows and restart PC
-On restart, windows will attempt to identify and install a generic sound device

When back in windows, try to see if your sound is working

If not, post the information that was/is listed in device mgr for sound device as mentioned above and will be better able to get what you need

More than likely, it is going to be one of these 2

Intel AC97 driver 5.12 (ADI Soundmax 4)
http://www.softwarepatch.com/utiliti...ax-driver.html

SoundMax Audio Driver 5.12.01.3620
http://www.softwarepatch.com/utiliti...max-audio.html

Post back if any questions and will see if can help out

Hello, this is Gerard Syms!

Thanks to both of you, orgresearch and seahawk83 for your time and consideration.

@orgresearch: I did try your advice and went to Windows default, but didn't have the SoundMax driver.

@seahawk83: I'm trying to attach a screenshot of what I saw when I attempted your advice. Hope you get it and that it gives a clearer picture of what's going in with my system.

I do apologise for not including specs in my first post, so here goes:
Windows XP Pro Ver. 2002, SP3
AMD Sempron 2600, 1.60 GHz, 960 MB RAM
Asus motherboard, the K8V-MX series
Chipset support VIA K8M800

Thanks again and I do appreciate your time, effort, knowledge and consideration.

BTW, If I can't get to upload the screenshot, here's what I saw briefly: yellow questions marks at Other Devices and Multimedia Audio Controller; at Sounds, Devices, Game Controllers, the tree was intact, listing Audio Codecs, Video Codecs etc.

Did you try this?

Quote:

---

What is listed there as sound device or what has yellow mark?
-whichever it is, right click and choose uninstall and say OK

Close all windows and restart PC
-On restart, windows will attempt to identify and install a generic sound device

When back in windows, try to see if your sound is working

---

If after restart, sound is not working and yellow marks are back
-go back to device mgr and right click and choose Unisntall again
(unisntall all with yellow marks)

Close open windows and Do Not Restart

Download SoundMax Audio Driver 5.12.01.3620
http://www.softwarepatch.com/utiliti...max-audio.html

Click on Download Button (wait few secs and download box will come up)

Once downloaded, install and follow instructions

Don't know but would assume you would have to restart after install

Hi, this is Gerard again.

I've tried your advice: the latest driver wasn't downloading, but the SoundMax 4 was. On trying to install, it told me that it couldn't and that I needed to reboot and try again.

Did that. Twice. Still nothing.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

First thing would try is to go through device mgr aagain and uninstall devices with yellow marks
-Next, check Add/Remove programs in control panel for any soundmax software or related software that you imay have tried to use to resolve this and if so, uninstall them

Here is link for the ASUS soundmax driver
Asus P4V800-X SoundMAX Audio Driver 5.12.01.3620 WHQL

Download Asus P4V800-X SoundMAX Audio Driver 5.12.01.3620 WHQL Driver for Windows ME / Windows 2K / Windows XP - Softpedia

-Click the download button and then on next page, click External Link 1

Once downloaded, install

Hopefullly this will do it as is driver for the ASUS motherboard

Device manager
Action
Scan for hardware changes
Opt to search online

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1365/answerscan.png

Use System Restore. Restore back your system to the date before you had that "audio problem".
If it doesn't work, you should try downloading a driver utility tool such as Driver Genius or Driver Robot. That way you can find a compatible driver for your system.