C-Media AC97 Audio Device. This device cannot start.  

For those interested, it was impossible for my AC97 Realtek card to work with Windows 7 even after driver updates. I had to go out and spend hard earned money on a sound card and only now will my pc work with Windows 7...not very convenient I think for all those future users who might be thinking about using Windows 7.
I would personally be very disappointed if Windows 7 turned into a Windows Vista disaster, as the graphics and user friendliness seems good so far, but these dirty tricks to force people to spend money on hardware is a big thumbs down for me.

- the installed card should make your PC run more efficiently
- which soundcard did you buy, eiger..?

Creatvie Soundblaster 5.1.

eiger3970 said:

For those interested, it was impossible for my AC97 Realtek card to work with Windows 7 even after driver updates

I had exactly the same problem as you - have the C-Media AC97 High Definition Audio Device and installed Windows 7. Everything went fine except no sound - tried installing latest update via Windows Update and various sources on the web. Tried everything. Mustv'e spent nearly 8 hours fiddling with drivers and reading forums and was beginning to give up when I found the solution.

Downloaded these WinXP drivers from Medion's website - http://download1.medion.de/downloads...mazawin9xp.exe
Ran the installation in XP Compatibility mode and boomshanka - got sound back!!

I know it's a bit late to help you but hopefully it might help someone else with the same problem!

My C-Media card works perfectly under Windows 7.

All I had to do is download the XP drivers from the motherboard manufacturer's website, and run setup in compatibility mode for Windows XP. It worked like a charm.

I have tried the download link and the C-Media download for Windows 7. Still fails. When the zip file is opened and the Setup.exe file run, the error comes:
Cannot Install: SETUP or INSTALL program filename contains folder information. Use Actions/CheckOut instead.

This is the second Windows 7 I'm installing now, and the exact same problem with sound!
AC97 or the Creative sound blaster will not work.

Well, I figured out the 'Use Actions/CheckOut' is an option in WinZip. Ran those commands and it did open up the C-Media setup.exe. Now the problem is that the setup.exe file gives error:
Please plug-in C-Media PCI Audio Device device! Ha, haaa..it is plugged in. How the hell does Windows 7 mess this up so good???

The post by member Peter Board worked for me!
http URL - fichiers.touslesdrivers.com/c-media/UDA051_build01_Logo51.3_Standard_.rar
http://fichiers.touslesdrivers.com/c..._Standard_.rar

Thanks

También tengo el problema de sonido, antes de que yo tenía XP, pero ahora con Win 7 ya no se oye nada. De instalar el controlador 5.12.01.0051 y no ayuda. Por favor, ayúdame. Tengo 3 meses, de modo.