XPS720 Sound Failure Windows 7, onboard audio

[Razima32]

Hi i am currently running a XPS 720 with Windows 7.
I have had Windows 7 on the machine for years and only recently have experienced sound

problems. Audio Does not play, or play a test tone. Audio also doesnt work with my USB

Gigaware Headset(basicaly its own external soundcard).

I have tried the following steps.

-Downloaded and Installed the newest Audio driver 'SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio

Driver Version A03'.
-Purchased a new external sound card thinking that may be the problem. I disable the

onboard soundcard prior to installing the new drivers. After installing it, i

troubleshooted it in every which way, to get it to work and play a test tone or sound. Many

long calls with Diamond customer service (the new cards manufacturer) but no luck.
-Removed PCI soundcard and re enabled onboard audio.
-Removed the video driver and reinstalling the current one without the audio.
-tried restarting the windows audio service in services.msc
-Uninstalled a Windows Update that was said to cause the sound problem (link below)


http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-pictures/windows-7-failed-to-pla

y-test-tone/850853d2-eea0-4f53-972d-14515f80554d

I also tried these:
A Consuming Experience: ?Failed to play test tone?, no sound on Vista ? troubleshooting

I am stumped. Ive been researching and trying things for 3 weeks now to alleviate this problem. I was wondering if I am missing something here?Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[fireberd]

As both the Sigmatel and Diamond sound cards do not work AND the USB headset does not work, suggests some other problem is causing the sound not to work, and not actually the sound hardware.

The USB headset does not use the PC's sound cards, just takes the digital audio, the same as what would be fed to the sound cards and processes it.

Post screenshots of the Device Manager, Sounds section and the Sound Panel, Playback section, for starters.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html


(I see you are in MD. I used to live in Laurel).

 

[Razima32]

Thanks for your response fireberd. Small world, Laurels right next door to me. I live in Baltimore City close to Catonsville. I figured it was a software problem since i basically went through 3 different audio cards.

 

[fireberd]

In the Speakers/Headphones Properties panel. Click on "Enhancements" and see if there is something there.

I worked at NASA, Goddard when I lived in Laurel. I went to work for Social Security in Woodlawn and was assigned to Kansas City, Mo on the SSA data network.

 

[Razima32]

what! i live right off security, what a coincidence. Thanks for your guidance fireberd, hope this helps, this audio problem has been a pain in my arse.

 

[fireberd]

Disable the Microsoft LifeCam, in the Device Manager. See if that changes things. Cam's have been known to cause audio problems. Also, in the Sound Panel/Recording Section, you should have an option for "Stereo Mix" (System Mixer). Set that as the default recording device.

I'm retired, I went to work there when "Colt Lanes" bowling alley was across the street from SSA.