March Windows 8.1 update broke Realtek I2S audio

FINAL UPDATE:

Samsung's processes do not allow them to help solve this problem.  I recommend that this be the last Samsung product that you ever purchase.  

The resolution to this problem, after working with Samsung for 5 months, is to take it to an authorized Service Center.  There is no mechanism for Samsung to test the product in the lab to verify that there is a driver contention issue between the sound and chipset drivers for Windows 8.1

The last customer service person I spoke to at Samsung (Marie) indicated that there are documented issues with the upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1.  She couldn't/wouldn't elaborate.  Her only resolution is that this has to be fixed by a technician at an authorized service center. She indicated that other people have had this issue and they had theirs fixed through the service center route.  Given the age of these devices, any service will not be under warranty, which means you will pay out of your pocket to fix this (if the technician can fix it).  I am highly skeptical.

So - this will be my last post on this subject.  Samsung service center (1-800-726-7864) was no real help.  You are pretty much on your own - unless you are willing to take your unit (they refer to it as a notebook) to an authorized service center (if you have on in your area) and have one of their technicians fix this problem for you at your cost.

It's a driver compatibility problem.  But hey - maybe your service center guy can write a driver for you!

I use a Samsung Galaxy S6.  It will be my last.  I kinda like the Zenphone.

Curt

UPDATE (I should start numbering them because who knows how long this is going to take?)

I called back into Samsung again today to follow up with my case.  I was supposed to hear back from Samsung around August 17, but of course, there was no return phone call.  So this time when I called for an update, as has been the case each time I have called back, the Tech says: "So you are having trouble installing drivers?".  LMAO.  No, I'm not having trouble installing drivers; I'm having trouble getting Samsung to understand that its THEM that has the issue.  

Anyway, I digress.  The gist of the conversation was that they have not heard back from Samsung Head Office yet - and that I am to expect a phone call from the person on my ticket in the next two business days for a verbal update.  I'll believe that when I see it.

It certainly is interesting to see how unresponsive Samsung can be regarding this issue (which clearly affects a number of folks - like those on this thread).  

I'll keep at it until I feel there is no hope.

Cross your fingers!

Curt

If i was to guess it would be a firmware issue of sometype

We should probably try and compile a list of model numbers and where it was broken, Ie mine

xe500t1c-ha1ca was broke on 8.1  march update but was fixed by windows 10 and allways worked on 8.0

Seems like some models never broke some only broke on 8.1 and some failed on 8.1 and 10

I apologize for the delay in updating this thread.  I was travelling out of my home country for a while.

Today, I made yet another phone call to Samsung attempting to get in touch with the supervisor who had indicated he was going to submit this case to Samsung Head Office and then call me back in a week.  Apparently, he called my home (he had my cell and was instructed to call me on that) but, of course, I was not home to receive the call.

Anyway - after FIGHTING with multiple Samsung techs who wanted to sign on to my device remotely, or argue with me that it needs a hardware service, I finally got in touch with another supervisor who was able to look up the notes and see what had transpired.  What is supposed to happen is that I am either going to get a phone call from the original supervisor or the one I talked to today to let me know what they have found out from Head Office.

Honestly, I'm not holding my breath for anything substantial - but I still feel obliged to follow this through.  As I stated before, my goal is to get Samsung to: (1) reproduce this in the lab; (2) Identify which driver they can best fix [either the Chipset or Sound driver]; (3) Produce an updated that we can all download and then have our sound function and the tablet still be able to boot after.  

While fighting with the various techs today, a thought that went through my mind that is somewhere in the bowels of this subject: "I Will NEVER buy another SAMSUNG PC/TABLET product again".  The system for actual technical people to provide information on defects is ABYSMAL!  

However, I'll continue the process until I see no light at the end of the tunnel.

Wish me luck!

Curt