Compaq Presario F756LA - 7 Ultimate x64 - Not getting any audio

[armanditoh]

Hello there,
The audio was working perfectly a few weeks ago, but it suddenly stopped. I thought it was the drivers, so I re-downloaded them and tried to install,, but after a few seconds of it showing the "Initializing application" thing, an error pops up that says "ERROR: Driver Installation Failed: Could not find the MEDIA device for this driver" or "ERROR: Driver Installation Failed: Could not find the device for this driver".

Also, the taskbar icon shows a red X over the sound thing, and it says "No Audio Output Device installed" when the mouse is left over it. In the "Playback" and "Recording" tabs, it shows there's none installed, although this computer has an in-built mic too.

I really don't know what to do. What do you guys need me to tell you about the computer so that you can help me?

(Compaq Presario F700 (F756LA) with genuine Windows 7 Ultimate x64)

 

[Solid Snake]

It may sound daft, but have you made any recent changes in your bios?
You may have a setting in there for your audio device, it maybe set as disabled or set under the wrong configuration. Im unsure when it comes to Compaq bios but if you have an option for AC97 then make sure its enabled.

Let me know how you get on, I will try help you further if needs be

Regards
Dan

 

[armanditoh]

It may sound daft, but have you made any recent changes in your bios?

Regards
Dan

Uh, not really; not that I know of.

 

[Solid Snake]

I would be tempted to take a look in your bios setup anyway, if your notebook has any Compaq update related software installed there is a small chance it may have automatically updated your bios, lookout for settings such as Multimedia, Audio Codec and Onboard Audio, its usually found in the Advanced/Chipset submenu. If you do have an option for AC97 make sure it has been selected. Its a common problem with some systems which often causes some sound cards to fail if not configured correctly.

 

[Solid Snake]

Also, let me know which version of bios your notebook uses.

If its Version 6 or less, the setup menu should look like this...

If its version 7 or higher...

 

[armanditoh]

Ok, it say "BIOS Version F.08"
The tabs on top are not the same as in yours, it says "Principal". "Security". "System Configuration", "Diagnostic" and "Exit". (Sorry, it's in Spanish, I'm only translating it.)
I cannot find anything sound or multimedia related. What should I do?

EDIT: It does look a lot more like the first BIOS you posted. The "Version 6 or less" one.

 

[Solid Snake]

The only place you will find the correct settings if you have them will be in the System Configuration menu, but if not you may not have the option to alter codecs in bios.

So as far as I understand Device Manager discovers either an "Unknown Device" or "Multimedia Controller" with a yellow exclamation mark, correct?

And when you attempt to install the software from Compaq it prompts you with a message "Device not detected"?

And the Audio has worked previously

 

[Solid Snake]

If this is the case and its not a setting that has been altered in bios, I would next attempt using a system restore point back to a date when you know for sure your audio was working correctly.
Have you used system restore before?

 

[armanditoh]

Hey! I was on the BIOS, and you know when you click something that isn't in the keys there, it does a sounds like... "EEEEENGH" or something? Like an error sound, I mean.
Well, it did that. It seemed weird to me, but didn't really look into it.

When I rebooted the computer, the X sign on the taskbar Volume icon was not there! I really don't know how it happened. I'm listening to music right now!
I'm going to reboot and tell you if it's still there, just in case; if it is, if I still have sound, I'll mark this post as solved

Thanks!

 

[Solid Snake]

I hope your issue has been solved, there is nothing more worse than driver problems! a real headache sometimes.

 

[armanditoh]

I do have sound, it has been solved!
As for your comment about there not being anything worse than driver problems, I believe cancer is worse. Good thing I don't own one of those tumor things, eh?

Haha, thanks again

 

[Solid Snake]

Off topic I agree lol. Good to hear its working

Regards
Dan

 

[armanditoh]

Hate this. Sound is not working again.

Weird thing happened, though. It stopped working all of a sudden while I was hearing some music. I freaked out, obviously. I went ahead and restarted, and it came back. But then it happened again, a few hours later. I turned it off, and turned it on again the next day (today). It didn't come back. So, I tried restarting again, but it didn't work either.

It's freaking me out. What can I do?