finding sound devices

[James Garrett]

I am desperate for some help please. My onboard sound died (been verified and all that) so had to get a sound card to bypass. A trojan virus corrupted my system and I lost my driver for the sound card. How do I find out what or who made that sound card so I can get the driver for it?

[Allan]

You can look in Device Manager (the easiest way) or you can download any one of a number of 3rd party apps to identify your hardware (belarc advisor, everest, etc)

[James Garrett]

if you don't have windows xp media center I really don't want to hear anymore of this type of useless advice. if it was that simple I would have done it already!!!! there is NO device manager in my menus. each area has its own and nowhere can I find a list of what hardware i have on my board

[Allan]

I beg your pardon?

[James Garrett]

I have talked and looked in all my menus and nowhere do I have a 1 all encompassing device manager. this is NOT my 1st computer.  I need to identify a sound card that was added after the origianl onboard sound stopped working since I no longer have the name of the company that made the card I don't know who to get the driver from. thats what I need to do

[Allan]

First of all, watch your mouth. If you want help here lose the attitude.

Second, I don't care how many computers you've had. You came here because you couldn't figure it out yourself.

Third, go to START - RUN and type: devmgmt.msc and press ENTER

[BC_Programmer]

Worst case scenario- that is, if you have a totally hooped system that doesn't even have device manager - is that you can take out the card and look at it. It will almost certainly have it's model number and manufacturer.

[James Garrett]

well sorry for the attitude if you don't want an attitude then I suggest you treat people with a little more class and respect and not look down on them since you can't figure it out either but you were treating me like an idiot so I figured you couldn't read as i said I was DESPERATE. that usually tells observant people that the person has used up more than 1 option. I have tried 5 different 3rd party id programs and found device manager under system and all have failed to identify my sound card. it comes up with unknown device. sorry to bother you

[patio]

DLoad install and run Speccy....FREE

[Computer_Commando]

Do as BC_P suggested, pull the card.  Usually there's some kind of info silk screened on the card, even if you have to look up the FCC number.  The audio chip will be marked & is usually the best way to identify what you need.  Could be C-Media, could be Via, could be SB (Sound Blaster).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid/

[James Garrett]

ok thank you as this is much more helpful. I will try as BC suggested and do as others have also. wish me luck! and thank you for the help. hope no more is needed

[James Garrett]

okk have tried all of the above. speccy failed to id the card "no audio card detected" and I did pull out the card hoping to see some kind of manufacture id but nothing shows except "made in china" and white sticker with the letter "D" in a diamond I think. Since it was a $10 card at Best buy like 5 years ago I guess I am s.o.l. and will have to get a new one. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I just wish they had worked.

[patio]

Did you try googling the FCC ID# ? ?

However now that i think of it for a 5 year old card that set you back 10 Bucks i'd personally cut my losses and grab a new card myself...