PC sound problems. No system sounds, no audio.

MistUnleashed said:

Thanks, now follow these steps:

1. Go to: Device Manager
2. Find your on-board soundcard driver
3. Uninstall it
4. Restart PC

This will see if the generic windows drivers are working.

Okay, did that. Upon restart system proceeded to reinstall the drivers. Still all of the same 'no sound' issues in my OP.

Here you go.

Not trying to interfere, it looks like your headset is plugged in? Until Mist responds back, if you change your cable to on-board then mark Digital Audio (S/PDIF) as default and see if you get sound. With Xonar, see if you get sound with Speakers as default.

Nope, no change. Thanks for the input though.

Type Troubleshoot in Start Search box, run the Sound Playback Troubleshooter. Report back findings.

MBAM is not an AV. If you're running its Real Time protection you still need an AV. MucAfee is the worst, so bad I'd do a Clean Reinstall Windows 7 if it was ever even installed. Try MSE for least problems and works well with MBAM Real Time.

Any AV's previously uninstalled need to have their special uninstall tool run to clean up: Uninstallers (removal tools) for common antivirus software - ESET Knowledgebase

The other tools and methods which work best for Win7 are compiled in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which has been used by 1.5+ million consumers without a single complaint. You'll get and keep a perfect install to the exact extent you stick with the steps there.

Found this on a Dell support forum and a user had issues with audio, not the same though but maybe it is worth trying out:

"You could use the Dell diagnostic by restarting the computer and pressing F12 when you see the Dell logo then go to custom and test the sound card to see if its a hardware issue"

Good idea. That would be the diagnostics choice on the F12 boot menu.

@gregrocker and BorisThe Animal

The Troubleshooter and diagnostics have both come up with nothing. That hardware is all up and running fine, but there is no audio. As I mentioned in the OP, I did a install of my OS on a small partition and the audio is working fine. So think it might be time for a drive format and a clean install.

I would like to thank everyone for their help with this.