no sound driver or bios problem ?

[charlie1]

Hello to all

found this forum via a google search --looks a great site !
Looking for a bit of help --and hope i can return some too!

I have an old Time pc running XP pro,with MS mobo/ VIA chipset. It has onboard sound + graphics. model no 362-50-647 or 647mf04g3.
(search returns nothing on this model, maybe due to extinction !!)
Device manager shows no problems/conflicts at all, but from control panel/
sound and audio device properties, all functions are greyed out ?
I also get the infamous ----
Error ID = 0x80040256, Remedy ID = 0x00000000" from win media player.
I have ran SFC /SCANNOW command --which returns nothing.
I've also tried installing winamp --which on playback returns a "no direct driver output " message ?
When in the bios, the confusing thing is it shows soundblaster + onboard sound chip/legacy (mpu401) --which can all be set to auto/enable /disable.
With all settings at auto or enabled --i still get all the errors listed above?
I then tried disabling all onboard sound apps from bios,and installing a seperate pci sound card. Installed all the drivers and apps that came with the installation cd --still no sound --though still no conflicts in device manager!?!?
I reckon the prob has to be software/firmware related ---but my head is pickled- LOL --due to above procedures.
Any help or suggestions welcome !! --thanks

[NooNoo]

Welcome to Windrivers Charlie1

What does device manager show? (right click my computer, properties, hardware tab, device manager button).
From what you have said, this is a driver problem.

[charlie1]

Welcome to Windrivers Charlie1

What does device manager show? (right click my computer, properties, hardware tab, device manager button).
From what you have said, this is a driver problem.

Hi NooNoo --thanks for reply

From dev manager---
when i expand the sound/video/game controlllers icon it has all the usual stuff
(audio video codecs / controllers etc) --no conflicts--no exclamation marks ?
Also--when i open the windows volume control, it returns " no active mixer" message ---goto add new hardware e.t.c. but ive tried this also, to no avail.
If i remember correctly, i had similar prob before --which was solved by adding an additional proggy or software --but just cant remember.
As i.ve already tried winamp + seperate pci sound card(with install cd) i thought this would have done the trick?

[NooNoo]

click start, run, type in
sndvol32
click ok
Do you get the volume control panel up?

[charlie1]

click start, run, type in
sndvol32
click ok
Do you get the volume control panel up?

Hi

sorry m8, but i decided to to a fresh XP install.
Prob now sorted, with os re-install !!
Think i'd also tried the vol32 command (+ others)
So, must've been a win/os prob all along !
Anyhow, thanks again for your help + replys.

cheers!

p.s. hope this may help others with a similar prob