Looking to buy a new external/usb sound card

[NeverSober]

Hello 7forums,

My onboard soundcard isn't working with win7. I really like the performance win7 is giving me for everything, from games (no sound), to processor-heavy loads, but I just can't get the audio to work. I have tried a lot of sound drivers listed in these forums, but they all say the drivers can't find suitable hardware and exits the install.

I installed DriverMax, and it came up with the following info for my soundcard:

NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio Codec Interface ManufacturerNVIDIA CorporationHardware type[6cFgE][Šôu?d, ?ìdeó ªñd g?me ?ôñtr??l??s !!! !!! !]Hardware classMEDIAHardware IDVEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_2052161F&REV_A2Vendor ID10DE
Match probability100 %

SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
ManufacturerAnalog Devices, Inc.Hardware typeSound, video and game controllersHardware classMEDIAHardware IDVEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_2052161F&REV_A2Vendor ID10DE
Match probability100 %

NVIDIA(R) nForce(TM) Audio Codec Interface
ManufacturerNVIDIA CorporationHardware typeSound, video and game controllersHardware classMEDIAHardware IDVEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_2052161F&REV_A2Vendor ID10DE
Match probability100 %

I can't seem to find a link from DriverMax to direct me to drivers it's found for unidentified hardware...I tried their search engine, but it said driver download not available for "SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio"

I have tried installing win7 build 7100, 7264, and 7600 and still couldn't get my sound card to work. It is an onboard SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio soundcard, for Alienware Aurora m9700 laptop. I already contacted Alienware support but they said they don't support for win7 for this laptop.

Alienware also said that if the onboard soundcard won't work, then I can't use the laptop's internal speakers either, so I'd have to buy an external soundcard, with external speakers as well.

Has anybody else got their soundcard working for this m9700 laptop? I want to try your drivers...

I am at wit's end trying to find working drivers for my soundcard. So I was thinking to go with an external or USB soundcard if nothing. I am most interested in one to hook up via optical cable for my surround sound system.

Can anybody give suggestions on a good external soundcard or usb soundcard that will work with the m9700 laptop and win7?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cyberwolf]

Here's one from Creative i'd recommend...

X-Fi Notebook Creative ExpressCard Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook SB0950 70SB095000004 Upgrade your notebook to Xtreme Fidelity and make your music, movies, and games sound their best.

 

[underground]

Hey, did you ever have luck with your M9700? I am having the same problems and have tried pretty much everything.

You would think something as simple as sound would not be a problem but it appears to be a big problem for a lot of people and it is bs that Alienware does not support their systems within a couple of years of purchase.

I love the performance gain i have received by switching to Windows 7 64Bit.

Any suggestions?