No Audio Output device is installed. CODE 10.

I would literally kiss the person even if I have to cross the seven seas if he/she gives me the solution to this goddamn problem!

CPU: Dell Optiplex 745
OS: Windows 7 Enterprise x64
RAM: 2GB
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 6700 2.66GHz
Hard drive: 250GB
Graphics card: Nvidia Geforce 210 (1GB) DDR3

So here is the problem. MY SOUND DRIVER! I have tried everything, every effing thing believe me. This just doesn't stop! First I went to the dell website and I downloaded the recommended audio driver which was 'SoundMax'.. It worked for a couple of days and than once again my sound failed, I received this message once again 'No Audio Output device is installed' ..than after reading multiple threads I downloaded High Definition Audio Codec from REALTEK and than AC'97 .. Same thing, they worked for a day or so and than once again on one fine morning when I woke up, my sound was gone! I did everything believe me. I bought a 30$ DVD of automatic driver solutions. SAME THING! Works for a couple of days, than its gone!
Than, before losing hope.. I tried something else! I tried Windows update, SAME FREAKING THING! I can't catch a break believe me! Please fix this for me. I have like a ka-zillion games like GTA 4, DOTA 2, World Of Warcraft and many many more! I love them and they love me. And now, I am unable to play those, they all require sound! I tried everything, as soon as I restart my computer a couple of times, I lose my sound once again to that same effing message 'No Audio Output device is installed' .. I checked my device manager, it says 'CODE 10' .. As soon as my Windows starts searching for 'High Definition Audio Driver' it fails.

BTW I think I might know what the problem is. MY VIDEO CARD! It has its own High Definition Audio Device. I think it is interfering with my sound card. Cause my cousin bought the same CPU everything exactly the same as mine, except for the video card, he doesn't play games much. He is using the default Intel graphics controller. I went over to his place and installed his sound driver from Sound Max. It worked, at one shot! And to this day it is working.
By the way, please help. I feel like crying! I miss GTA 4

fireberd said:

First, the driver from Dell is the only one you should be using.

However, first download the Intel motherboard chipset drivers from Dell and install them, then the Dell sound driver. The chipset drivers define (identify) all the devices on the motherboard and if that is missing or corrupt it could cause the Code 10.

Another problem can be the BIOS. If the sound is disabled in the BIOS that will also cause a Code 10.

The Video will not cause the Code 10. If you have a Video card with HDMI audio, if you connect an HDMI cable most systems will switch the default audio playback device to the HDMI but that's all.

One problem I see, although it may not directly affect audio is you only have 2GB of RAM. That is very minimum RAM and your 64 bit OS will do nothing extra with 2GB of RAM. You could have the 32 bit OS version and it would work exactly the same. 64 bit OS takes advantage of memory over 4GB. Under 4GB it works exactly like a 32bit OS. Consider upgrading the memory. The entire PC will work better.

Dell OptiPlex 745 drivers for Vista (Vista drivers work for Windows 7). DO NOT use the XP audio driver as it is not compatible. Product Support for OptiPlex 745 | Dell US

My computer works perfectly.. it doesn't lag or anything, 64bit ain't much of a problem for me! one thing I forgot to mention is that when I uninstall all my sound drivers from the device manager and click for hardware changes.. Windows installs all my drivers perfectly and says they are ready to use, but still there is that BIG X on my sound icon as shown in the picture!

No.. sound is not disabled from my BIOS! I checked, it said Integrated audio is enabled.

One more thing, for the past few days i've been trying all my previous attempts in which my sound worked again for a day or two, this time this ain't happening! My sound is gone for good!
One more thing, when I check my playback devices in control panel, it has nothing! not even speakers.. I have show disabled devices as 'enabled' .. NOTHING! Can you please suggest me something? Should I change my sound card with a new one? Will that help?

there are two of them, both are recommended. I am downloading those, BTW the only sound driver Dell recommends is 'SoundMax' which isn't helping! thankyou for your replies man.. appreciate it!

fireberd said:

I did support on the Dell forum for over 10 years. We found, especially in the older models such as you have, that only the Dell sound driver will work or work properly. Non-Dell drivers either do not work or will not work properly.

Trying to use a different sound device driver, such as RealTek, will not work as you do not have a RealTek hardware sound chip.

Nope, man! nothing worked! My dell customer support guy says that I should install Windows 7 Professional 32bit.. Thats the simplest and the most reliable windows for my system! HOPE THAT WORKS!
Tonight I am going to do that, hope it works.