problem with realtek ac97 no sound?

1. Open Device Manager

2. Click on + Symbol for Sound VIdeo and Game Controllers

3. Right click on each device and click update if found.

Now, you should reinstall multimedia drivers from the Windows Components. Here are the steps :

To reinstall Multimedia in Windows XP, you have to first locate and edit the Sysoc.inf file. This will enable the Multimedia option in Add/Remove components list. The Sysoc.inf is a hidden system file that will not be listed by default. To view the Sysoc.inf file, you should enable the "Show Hidden Files and Folders" option under Files and Folders.

You can reinstall Multimedia by following these three steps:

Step 1: Display all hidden files and folders.

Step 2: Edit the Sysoc.inf file.

Step 3: Reinstall Multimedia using Add/Remove Programs.

Step 1: To display the hidden files and folders, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.

2. Click Appearance and Themes.

3. Click Folder Options and select the View tab.

4. Enable the option "Show Hidden Files and Folders."

5. Deselect "Hide Operating system Files" under Files

and Folders.

6. Click Apply and click OK.

You can now view all hidden files and folders.

Step 2: Make changes in the Sysoc.inf file by following these steps:

NOTE: Create a backup copy of the Sysoc.inf file before making any changes to the file.

1. Click Start and select My Computer.

2. Double-click C: drive.

3. Double-click WINDOWS folder.

4. Double-click the "Inf" folder and open the Sysoc.inf file.

5. In the INF folder under the [components] section, locate the following entry:

"MultiM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,multimed.inf,hide,7"

6. Remove "hide" from the entry and ensure that it appears as given below:

"MultiM=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,multimed.inf,7"

7. Save and close the Sysoc.inf file.

Step 3: Reinstalling Multimedia using Add or Remove programs:

1. Click Start and select Control Panel.

2. Click Add or Remove Programs and then click Add/Remove Windows components.

3. Double-click Accessories and Utilities.

4. Deselect Multimedia checkbox.

5. Click OK and click Next. Windows will complete the upgrade and prompt you to complete the process.

6. Click Finish and restart the computer.

7. After Windows loads, repeat steps 1-3.

8. Select the Multimedia checkbox.

9. Click OK and click Next.

10. Click Finish and restart the computer.

Multimedia is now reinstalled on the computer.

If the issue still persists download suitable drivers among the two :

For Realtek AC'97 :

ftp://61.56.86.122/pc

/audio/WDM_A394.zip

For High Definition Audio :

ftp://202.65.194.18/

pc/audio/WDM_R147.zip

I have that realtek and I had that very same problem.

I tried un-installing the driver and than installing it. It worked than I lost the sound again.

What than worked is I did system restore. The first time it did not restore the sound-with the speaker icon on the bottom of the screen, but the second time I did a system restore, it worked.

So, try another system restore to a point where u r sure you had the sound. I went back as far as system restore allowed-you know the bold date it says to pick from. Still wait for answers from others.

good luck

yes gp and buy a real soundcard