[zenmoonstar]

Originally Posted by zenmoonstar

Hi 'Queen' Barbara,

I was out of town for a day and couldn't respond sooner. Thanks for the clarification re drivers. It helps to know why we're doing what we're doing when troubleshooting a computer (or anything else...)

Yes, there are some yellow question marks in Device Manager:
Other Devices, Ethernet Controller and Multimedia Audio Controller. (aha!)
Glad you asked! Should these be deleted?
(I'm using the USB port for DSL cuz I don't have an ethernet card, or do I? Anyway, it never worked with the DSL setup.)

As for the BIOS, I checked the onboard sound and the default was set to 'on' - but I turned it off and on again just as a test. It didn't seem to make a difference.

So it's time to dl this driver and see what happens...
Will keep you posted. O yes, I have set several system restore points - they saved me (along with my avast av program, of course) when malware found its sneaky way onto my Dell.

Stay tuned...and thanks again. I'll post the results asap.
~z

THANK YOU, SOUND QUEEN BARBARA!!! (aka bookworm) It's so good to have sound again - I'd almost given up hope.

Hadn't been downloading the chipset driver - only the audio drivers.
So I cleared my temp files, uninstalled Soundblaster, created a system restore point and then downloaded the chipset driver from Dell. (Why don't they just tell you to do this in the first place???)

Anyway, then reinstalled Soundblaster from the CD DELL sent me and - upon restart - VOILA! Beethoven's 9th came 'soundblasting' through my speakers. Thanks so much, Barbara. You saved me from starting all over and reformatting XP again...(not fun)

May the music of the spheres always resonate in your ears and may the longtime STT sun shine upon you.

~zenmoon

ps. The answer to my sig is: "Yes, and she resides deep within the STT forum. She is called bookworm. Seek her counsel."