Windows 7: Looking to buy a new external/usb sound card

Hello 7forums,

My onboard soundcard isn't working with Windows 7. I really like the performance Windows 7 is giving me for everything, from games (no sound), to processor-heavy loads, but I just can't get the audio to work. I have tried a lot of sound drivers listed in these forums, but they all say the drivers can't find suitable hardware and exits the install.



I installed DriverMax, and it came up with the following info for my soundcard:

NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio Codec Interface ManufacturerNVIDIA CorporationHardware type[6cFgE][Šôu?d, ?ìdeó ªñd g?me ?ôñtr??l??s !!! !!! !]Hardware classMEDIAHardware IDVEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_2052161F&REV_A2Vendor ID10DE
Match probability100 %

SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
ManufacturerAnalog Devices, Inc.Hardware typeSound, video and game controllersHardware classMEDIAHardware IDVEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_2052161F&REV_A2Vendor ID10DE
Match probability100 %

NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio Codec Interface
ManufacturerNVIDIA CorporationHardware typeSound, video and game controllersHardware classMEDIAHardware IDVEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_2052161F&REV_A2Vendor ID10DE
Match probability100 %

I can't seem to find a link from DriverMax to direct me to drivers it's found for unidentified hardware...I tried their search engine, but it said driver download not available for "SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio"

I have tried installing Windows 7 build 7100, 7264, and 7600 and still couldn't get my sound card to work. It is an onboard SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio soundcard, for Alienware Aurora m9700 laptop. I already contacted Alienware support but they said they don't support for Windows 7 for this laptop.

Alienware also said that if the onboard soundcard won't work, then I can't use the laptop's internal speakers either, so I'd have to buy an external soundcard, with external speakers as well.

Has anybody else got their soundcard working for this m9700 laptop? I want to try your drivers...

I am at wit's end trying to find working drivers for my soundcard. So I was thinking to go with an external or USB soundcard if nothing. I am most interested in one to hook up via optical cable for my surround sound system.

Can anybody give suggestions on a good external soundcard or usb soundcard that will work with the m9700 laptop and Windows 7?

Thanks in advance!

Here's one from Creative i'd recommend...

X-Fi Notebook Creative ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook SB0950 70SB095000004 Upgrade your notebook to Xtreme Fidelity and make your music, movies, and games sound their best.

Hey, did you ever have luck with your M9700? I am having the same problems and have tried pretty much everything.

You would think something as simple as sound would not be a problem but it appears to be a big problem for a lot of people and it is bs that Alienware does not support their systems within a couple of years of purchase.

I love the performance gain i have received by switching to Windows 7 64Bit.

Any suggestions?