Windows Says It Has A Problem

[pcdoc4christ]

Barefoot:

Believe it or not, the driver provided by the motherboard manufacturer may work better than the ones provided by the chipset maker.  Try this driver:

http://www.epox.com/USA/article.asp?ID=1023

Or, access the driver download by clicking here and clicking on the driver button on the Web page:

http://www.epox.com/USA/product.asp?ID=EP-8KHA

If this driver doesn't fix the problem, then there may be a conflict between the chipset and another device.  To check this possibility out, launch System from the Control Panel and click on the Hardware tab and click the Device Manager button.  Let one of us know if you need help using the Device Manager to troubleshoot hardware conflicts.

Regards,
Doc

[Barefoot_Tom]

I went to Epox's and downloade and installed the recommended driver. No luck! They were recommending an earlier version of the VIA drivers. I had been using 590b, they recommended 390a.
Looking at the Device Manager, I can find no conflicts. It says the audio device is working properly, and that there are no driver conflicts.
I also ran the MSINFO32.EXE, and it doesn't show any conflicts.
I should have mentioned that dxdiag couldn't find a driver when I ran the music test. I have no idea why.
Tom

[pcdoc4christ]

Barefoot:

OK, you have rulled out this as the cause:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;192046

Now, 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.txt

https://winqual.microsoft.com/download/display.asp?FileName=hcl/WinXPHCLx86.txt



If 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

[Barefoot_Tom]

  
The chipset is correct. I ran Aida32 to get the information. Via & Epox say they have drivers for Win98SE.
   As I've said- the speakers work- I can play CD's using the CD Player.
System information tells me there are no devices with problems. Multimedia Audio  Device Properties says the device is enabled but inactive due to unknown problems.

My question is: How do I find out what the "unknown problem" is?
Tom

[pcdoc4christ]

...My question is: How do I find out what the "unknown problem" is?
Tom

Good question, Tom.  I've run out of possible answers, but i'll pray about it, and sleep on it, and let you know if i come up with anything.

Maybe Mac or Flame have some ideas?