Windows 7: Sound issues w/ all lots of information. Please help.

Okay so here are my specs:

Motherboard: MSI P67A-C43 (MS-7673) version 1.0
CPU: i5-2500k
Video: Radion HD 6870 i believe, but i don't think relevant.



Problem:
One day, I don't know why, my computer stopped recognizing any sound devices. I have speakers plugged into back and headphones / microphone plugged into front.

I am not using a sound card, they are directly to motherboard.

For some reason, I am unable to install realtek hd audio drivers. My windows will automatically install AMD Audio drivers for some odd reason.

I have tried to disable automatic driver installation but no matter what, it will keep installing AMD audio drivers. Realtek won't even show up.

Please, any additional information or screen-shots needed, feel free to ask!

Thank you!

What is displayed in the Device Manager for Sound and Audio Devices?

As you have an HD6870 video card, it has HDMI audio, and you should see an ATI audio entry in thye Sound and Audio Devices, which would be the video card's sound. You should also see another entry for the RealTek, if that is what is on the motherboard for audio. If the RealTek is not there but you see an entry for HD Audio that is a generic Windows installed sound card driver, and it should work but you won't have full features of the RealTek audio driver from the motherboard vendor (MSI).

If there is no other sound device showing, check the BIOS to verify the audio is enabled in the BIOS. If it were disabled it wouldn't show up. If its enabled in the BIOS, reinstall the Intel motherboard chipset drivers (use the MSI supplied or downloadable driver), if the motherboard chipset drivers are not installed or corrupted devices on the motherboard, such as the sound will not show up.

Here is a screen shot of what is under Sound, Video, and Game Controllers:

http://i.imgur.com/Ru4bj.png

I have tried installing Realtek drivers but the install doesn't work or something of that nature.

Basically when I try to install it, it says I did, then asks for reboot.

So I reboot, and it automatically installs what is in that screenshot.

Realtek is no where to be seen on my computer.

As you had the sound and now its gone, and assuming you have it enabled in the BIOS and you have reinstalled the Intel Motherboard chipset drivers, it would appear to be a hardware problem considering what you have said you have done.

One last thing, reset the BIOS, in case there is a corruption there. You will have to reset any customized settings after you reset. If that doesn't work, I would contact MSI about the problem.

One other thing that may be worth trying, in the hope it's not a hardware issue, is a System Restore:

System Restore

Another thought would be the possibility of malware...