Windows 7: Cannot get sound to work once I enable more than 4gb RAM

Big Tom · 20 Sep 2011

Hello Everyone. I have read most of this thread and also a few other thread on other window forums about the sound issues w/ windows 7 upgrades, but i just cant get my issue sorted out. I have an Acer Aspire M3100 and installed 4gb of additional ram from crucial to bring the total ram to 6gb. i cannot get sound to work once i enable more than 4gb of ram. the computer recognizes all 6 gigs, but when i enable more than 4 gigs my computer says "no audio output device installed". i go change it to 4gb usable and sound comes back again. please help! here are some links below to help you help me

this is my PC (OS is Win 7 Professional x64)

Acer Support: Aspire M3100 Specifications

the RAM i ordered

4GB kit (2GBx2), 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 upgrades for Acer Aspire M3100 Desktop/PC, CT700053 from Crucial.com

tman69 · 20 Sep 2011

there is no mention in the Acer M3100 specifications that it has 64bit drivers--you may need to install new drivers for 64 bit--see this page for the 'process' to do so--read the section that begins with "Follow the steps to install the Realtek ALC888 High Definition audio driver:"
(the driver download link is about half way down the page)

Realtek ALC888 High Definition Audio Driver for Windows 7/Vista/XP - DownloadAtoZ Drivers

Big Tom · 20 Sep 2011

alright ill read up on it and give it a shot. i'll report back with the results, thanks

Big Tom · 21 Sep 2011

i am trying to follow those instructions in the link posted above, but everytime i boot windows in safe mode or normally the new hardware wizard immediately starts installing the drivers again and i cant get it to stop. i uninstall the devices, rebot and they're back in the device manager every time. is there a way to disable the new hardware wizard? also does anyone else have suggestions?

Big Tom · 21 Sep 2011

i figured out how to disable the hardware wizard here How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows 7 / Vista, and i was able to follow the instructions posted, still no luck

fireberd · 21 Sep 2011

With the 6GB installed, go to the Device Manager and see what it shows for status, either an error and code or working properly. The code can help in troubleshooting.

But, in either case, RIGHT click on the entry for the sound and then LEFT click "uninstall". DO NOT click the box to uninstall the drivers. Then restart the PC and note if Windows detects and reinstalls the sound. If it reinstalls, check the status .

Big Tom · 21 Sep 2011

thanks, ill give it a shot later this afternoon when i get back home

Big Tom · 21 Sep 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by fireberd

With the 6GB installed, go to the Device Manager and see what it shows for status, either an error and code or working properly. The code can help in troubleshooting.

But, in either case, RIGHT click on the entry for the sound and then LEFT click "uninstall". DO NOT click the box to uninstall the drivers. Then restart the PC and note if Windows detects and reinstalls the sound. If it reinstalls, check the status .

this also did not work

(also no errors or codes are displayed)

Big Tom · 21 Sep 2011

i think im going to just buy a new sound card. probably this one CompUSA.com | UGT-S100 | Vantec 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card any opinions?

fireberd · 22 Sep 2011

That is cheap enough for a sound card, to at least see if will work. May not have all the features such as the System Mixer that is needed to record streaming audio from the internet.

Note that is PCI not PCIe. Many newer PC's only have PCIeX1 expansion slots for items such as sound card.

Windows 7: Cannot get sound to work once I enable more than 4gb RAM

Cannot get sound to work once I enable more than 4gb RAM problems?