Sound Drivers

Listening to audio on a computer requires a sounds card, speakers, and a sound card driver. Any set of computer speakers can be used, but the right sound card and sound card driver is required. Sound cards are hardware designed to allow a computer to translate information into various types of audio outputs. A proper and specific sound card driver is needed for each sound card. Sound card drivers are software, included with most sound cards, that is designed to facilitate communication between a sound card and computer. Having a proper sound card driver insures that your computer system will be able to properly translate information into audible noise. Many sound card, sound card driver combinations also allow the use of an input device such as a microphone or other outside audio device. Although some Windows computers come with pre-loaded sound drivers, the proper one for a given sound card should always be loaded from the install CD included with the sound card or from files downloaded from the sound card manufacturer’s web-site. Occasionally sound card manufacturers will update their sound card drivers, so checking regularly for updates will insure the best sound possible from a sound card. Care should be taken never to use the wrong sound driver for a specific sound card.

There are several possible sound card driver problems that may arise. A few of these are:

Incorrect driver for the sound card:

Installing the wrong sound driver for a sound card will cause the sound and sometimes computer system to malfunction. The entry for the specific installed sound card within the operating systems device manager will tell if the sound card driver is working and up to date.

Sound card malfunction due to system change:

Many times different operating systems require separate sound card drivers, because the software for sound cards to communicate with operating systems varies with almost every different system and needs to be updated with any operating system change.

Troubleshooting sound card drivers:

Sound card is installed but no sound comes out:

First open up control panel>Hardware and Sound>Device Manager. Find your specific sound card on the list, right click and open properties. Within the device status windows it will specify whether or not the driver is working properly.

If the status message states the driver is installed and working properly:

1. System volume is not turned on. At the bottom right hand corner of the screen next to the time and date is a small speaker logo. Right click and open volume mixer. Check volume settings to be sure they are turned up, and insure the mute box is not checked. Your system should play a test sound as you adjust the volume.

If you still have no sound from the sound card refer to directions below.

If the status message states the driver is either not installed, or installed but not functioning properly:

2. No sound card driver is installed. Visit the manufacturer’s website to find a proper sound card driver or install driver from the CD included with the sound card.

3. Improper sound card driver is installed. Visit the manufacturer’s website to find a proper sound card driver or install driver from the CD included with the sound card. When you find the proper sound card driver be sure to open Control Panel>Device Manager, right click sound card, and uninstall your old sound card driver.

If problems persist please contact the sound card manufacturer for further assistance.