Barefoot:
OK, you have rulled out this as the cause:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;192046Now, are you sure the chipset number VT8336 is correct? The Windows 98 hardware compatibility list (HCL) lists only these VIA Technologies, Inc. audio controllers:
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (VT8231/686B/686A) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller(VT8231) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller(VT8231/686B/686A) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8231) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8233C) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller(VT8233A) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller(VT8233C) WLP 1.1
VIA AC’97 Audio Controller (VT8231/686A/686B) WLP 1.1
VIA AC’97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8233A) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (VT8231) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (VT82C686A) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (VT82C686A) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (VT82C686B) WLP 1.1
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8233) WLP 1.1
VIA PCI Audio Controller PC 98
VIA PCI Audio Controller (78D2) WLP 1.1
VIA PCI Audio Controller (78D2) WLP 1.1
VT82C686A WLP 1.1
And even the Windows XP HCL lists only these:
VIA - IC Ensemble Envy24HT PCI Audio Controller Family WLP 2.0
VIA AC’97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8235) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8235) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8237) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller (VT8231/686B/686A) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Audio Controller(VT8231/686B/686A) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8231) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8233C) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller(VT8233A) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller(VT8233C) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller(VT8235) WLP 2.0
VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller(VT8235) WLP 2.0
VIA AC’97 Audio Controller (VT8231/686A/686B) WLP 2.0
VIA AC’97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8233A) WLP 2.0
VIA AC’97 Enhanced Audio Controller (VT8235) WLP 2.0
VIA AC’97 Enhanced Audio Controller(VT8235) WLP 2.0
VIA Audio Codec Driver WLP 2.0
VIA Vinyl AC'97 Codec Combo WDM Driver
The HCL links are here:
https://winqual.microsoft.com/download/display.asp?FileName=hcl/Win98HCL.txthttps://winqual.microsoft.com/download/display.asp?FileName=hcl/WinXPHCLx86.txtIf the number
is correct, then it may be that the chipset is just not supported by Window 98 SE and no drivers will be compatible(
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;254081). In that case, you may have to purchase a sound card to install and disable the on-board audio controller in the BIOS setup.
Before you do this, however, i'd recommend that you check the obvious. Try using the speakers on another computer to see if they are still working. Make sure they are plugged in and the power button is on. Try using a different set of speakers. Make sure the BIOS setup does not have exterior speakers disabled. Check the BIOS setup to make sure the on-board audio controller is not disabled. Try checking the Windows 98 volume settings to make sure that sounds other than the CD digital audio are not muted (click Start > Run > type Sndvol32 and click OK).
Also try some of the not-so-obvious solutions: Try the speaker driver to see if your system will play .WAV files (
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;138857). Try removing and reinstalling the audio codecs (
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;142731). Try these other troubleshooting suggestions (
http://support.microsoft.com/common/canned.aspx?R=d&H=windows+98+sound+troubleshooting+articles&LL=kbwin98search+or+kbwin98sesearch&Sz=hwsndts&Fr=&DU=&SD=GN&LN=EN-US&CND=1&VR=&CAT=&VRL=&SG=).
Regards,
Doc