Windows 7: sound problems on Thinkpad T42p

I have a Thinkpad T42p that I have put Windows 7 on and most everything is working except for sound. I shows it has the Analog Devices AD1981A AC'97 SoundMAX Codec (Full-duplex) AC97 2.2 compatible as shown in the specs and when I ask W7 to upgrade the driver it says I have the latest driver and that the device is working, but no sound. I have removed and reinstalled the device, still no sound. It isn't muted, or anything simple like that. Also, the sound controls at the top of the keyboard don't seem to have any effect. Any ideas of what to do? Other than sound, W7 runs great on this machine. Aero, etc is enabled and it boots and closes quicker than XP... Thanks for any help.

Hello wahoobob,

Maybe this will help you.

Start -> Device Manager
Select Sound, video and game controllers
Select Sound device, right click, uninstall
Scan for hardware changes
Reinstall driver

Have a nice day!

zx81

Been there, done that. Any other suggestions?

Does this mean that you do not see the green volume bars on the LCD screen OR that you see the bars, but changing the volume level has no effect because you have no sound at all????

Also, have you done a Lenovo System Update run? They have a new version which works with Windows 7. You probably do not want most of their garbage programs (or drivers for that matter) but it might point out something.

I do not see the green volume bars when I press the sound controls. Can you give some directions on the Lenovo system update? Can I do this if the machine came with XP?

........

Never Mind... I read the instructions and this may be the trick. I'll update later.

thanx for putting up with a non-techie.

Did both suggestions and now the sound is on... Thanks to both...

I just found the Windows 7 site looking for answers to the same problem as wahoobob... I have 2 T-43's (one issued by the company I work for) & both of them have the same sound problem. - After messing around with it for 2 days, I realized that the "Mute" button on the keyboard doesn't show the green progress bar, so you don't know whether it's on or not.

I just held down the Volume increase button for about 20 seconds & the volume worked (even though it didn't show the progress bar).

Well, I screwed my install trying to delete the old XP partition so I had to reinstall and the sound isn't working again... This time when I to to the Device Manager there is no listing of Sound Device so nothing works, but a trip to Lenovo and download the update tool and everything works again. If you have a Thinkpad go to Lenovo's site and get the updating tools. Even the older Thinkpads are supported. Way to go Lenovo!

Thanks to all who helped me in this transition to 7 from Linux. Microsoft got it right this time.

hey wahoobob can u post the link for that update tool... this t42 is killin me....thnx in advance...