I just built the system listed below and everything seems to be fine, except for the audio - there is none. I've noticed from browsing this site and others there seems to be a pretty widespread, if not serious problem with the AC97 audio drivers - especailly when running XP.

I had audio problems with the first indtall of Win XP Pro but chalked that up with problems reading the CAB files on the XP disc I had. I exchanged the XP Pro disc for another and nuked everything and started over. This time, after unchecking the digital audio selection on the CD Burnrer Properties I got audio temporarily.

I installed a game though and the video and audio were both really distorted, so since I didn't really have any data stored - I nuked everything again.

After formatting and another re-install, no audio whatsoever and I've tried everything. All connections are good, all mutes and volume controls are ok, everything is connected via analog and digital is turned off. All audio devices, drivers and monitors indicate that I should have sound, but I don't. Doesn't work off the hard drive, CD's or Internet. The speakers work fine with my old PC.

As I said, I've seen multiple reports on multiple sites regarding AC97 Onboard audio problems and most aren't too pretty - many say that disabling onboard sound and installing a PCI Card doesn't help. They seem to also indicate that it stems from drivers developed by VIA.

I've seen several reported fixes, but not for Gigabyte boards. Does anyone out there know of anything? I like the system and surely don't want to go through the problems of disassembling it and RMAing the board, but I don't want weeks, if not months of going without sound (timeframes that I have seen).

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Win XP Pro
RealTek AC97 OnBoard Audio Driver (ver. 5.10.0.5650)
Gigabyte GA-K8NS Ultra-939 MoBo
Athlon64 3000+ CPU
512MB OCZ PC3200 RAM
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
30GB Western Digital ATA HDD
160 GB Seagate Serial ATA HDD
Sony CD Burner
Antec 550W True Power PSU