Speaker icon has a Red X on it, "no audio output device is installed".

Anonymous

original title: No audio output device is installed.

I have done nothing different to my computer but noticed yesterday that the speaker icon in the system tray has a red and white "X" over it and says that "no audio output device is installed." I have Windows Vista. When I go to my control panel and click on "Sounds and Hardwar," and again click on "Sound," it tells me that "No audio devices are installed." Yesterday I went to --> All programs --> Accesories --> System Tools --> System Restore and I did a system restore that way. After my computer re-started, the audio problem was solved but somehow my anti-virus protection was no longer installed. I fixed this with the McAfee support online chat and the audio was also working all day yesterday. However, today, it again says that "no audio output device is installed," and I do not want to restore my system again and have to deal with the anti-virus software going haywire again. Is there another way to fix this? Please help me. I have looked this up on other support sites and have found the answers too technical for me to understand. I have a one-year-old Toshiba Satellite M205 with an Intel Centrino processer and Vista with Service Pack 1 installed although I don't know if that is important information or not. My computer has a sticker on it that says "Dolby Sound Room," whatever that means. Thanks in advance!

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Anonymous

Hi m_kelsey,

It sounds like you might have an audio driver that isn’t working properly, please do the following:

1. Click Start

2. In ‘Start Search’ type Device Manager, press Enter (provide administrative credentials if prompted)

3. Click the “+” next to Sound, video and game controllers to drop down the menu

4. Check the status of any device listed in that category by right-clicking that device, clicking Properties, and then under the General tab check what it says under “Device status”. Let us know what the status was.

5. Then check all the devices (especially any that had a problem under “Device status”) listed in this category for updated drivers by right-clicking that device and then clicking Update Driver Software… (this step may take a moment so be patient).

Get back to us with your results so that we can further assist you if need be. We look forward to hearing back from you.

Brian

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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190 additional answers

Anonymous

2009-11-08T18:17:11+00:00

Hi,

The troubleshooter works in most cases. It was never meant to apply to a situation such as yours so

I am sorry for the confusion. If a driver does not exist then obviously can't install it.

Well it sounds like there is no driver for Windows 7, have you checked with the actual device maker?

Often there will be drivers however they will not be listed under your model and might be found under

a later model with same device. An AC97 device might not be supported at all though.

Disable your on-board Sound - Settings (BIOS/CMOS) as you boot.

Buy an add-in card (preferred) or a USB sound adapter making sure either supports Windows 7 and 64 bit.

Not only will your sound work it should be improved.

If you want to try to use your existing sound (not my choice).

No Windows 7 drivers yet? Try using Vista’s

http://www.techspot.com/blog/354/no-windows-7-drivers-yet-try-using-vistas/

Did you orginally run the upgrade advisor? I would definitely do that on the other machines. And if in doubt

go look for drivers before you upgrade.

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15&displayLang=en

Hope this helps.

Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
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Anonymous

2009-11-08T18:00:37+00:00

SpiritX: I have an HP Pavilion DV5030US . This computer has a Conexant AC97 sound device. Everything on my computer worked perfectly until I installed Windows 7 64-bit. I have tried every fix you have recommended on this forum. Nothing has worked. I have downloaded drivers from Conexant and from HP., I have tried a work-around recommended on a forum for Vista 64-bit. I have uninstalled and rebooted. I have run the Fix-it on Microsoft's web site. The answer I got from that service is that "No driver exists for your device." According to Windows, no device is installed or recognized. But it's there. It worked perfectly until i installed W7. It is simply unacceptable that my answer is "Sorry, you're screwed," which appears to be what is being suggested.

I am not a novice. I've been working on computers since 1979, and beta-tested Windows 0.1, 2, 3, 95, 98, Me, XP, and 7. (by the way, the audio worked perfectly on Windows 7 RC, build 7100. Now there seems to be nothing I can do to get sound in Windows 7 64-bit. This is unacceptable. I purchased three copies for my home computers, and I am now reluctant to install the other two copies. This operating system has messed up my computer--the opsys also doesn't recognize my modem, a mass-storage controller, and an "unknown device," which, I believe, is my printer.

You're repeating your message several times in this forum is patronizing, and worse, wrong. The computer now doesn't even recognize working hardware in the machine. I know this because when I boot up to Linux from a memory stick, the sound is there. What's going on?
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Anonymous

2009-11-07T03:26:36+00:00

Hi im having problems with my DELL Inspiron 6000. I cannot find SOUNDS or the HD Audio in device manager. CAn you please help me out?
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Anonymous

2009-11-07T00:51:02+00:00

HI. I am having the same problem with my sound on my Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop. The only thing I have added to the computer is Microsoft Office 2007 about a week ago. I have tried everything suggeted but it still is not working.
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