Can't install Sound Card
 

Due to a recent attack on my PC, I had to reinstall Windows XP, forcing me to reinstall all my programs and peripherals (but on the plus side, I didn't lose any saved files or folders). It was tedious enough reinstalling my network adaptor, monitor, and so forth, but my current problem is my sound card. My PC can't install it, so I need a driver. My soundcard is a Realtek AC 97 brand, but whenever I download the driver from the official site, I get a warning about how the installation is unsigned. I continue anyway, but whenever the installation gets to 98% or so, my PC crashes, with an error message (Windows had to shut down, something like that). I've tried to do the installation again, but the same message pops up.

So I need to find a driver that'll let me install my sound card, otherwise I get no sound for anything. If anyone has any solutions, or better yet a driver that's both safe and sure to work, please respond as soon as possible. Thanks.

you did clean or repair install?and when install Realtek AC 97 show you blue screen?

Wait...are you sure you have a soundcard? I thought the Realtek AC '97 codec was only ever used in integrated solutions. If it is integrated, I hate to say this as it isn't a direct solution to your problem at all, but I'd highly suggest getting even a cheap sound card ($20-$25) as it would be a large improvement over any intergrated solution, and you should notice a large performance gain what with that load taken off of the processor.

Apart from that, have you tried using the previous driver version, or perhaps a beta version? One of those may work. The current version for some reason may be conflicting with your hardware. I had that problem once with an integrated sound card.

I think he have sound built-in,try to give us name & number of motherboard

No, all those sounds he was hearing before he reformatted were just illusions.

My thoughts are that you should look for some support downloads or drivers from the manufacturer of the motherboard itself, if you didn't do that already.

I am guessing from your post that you got the drivers from the Realtek website, which due to the failure of the installation, I figure that some specially configured drivers had to be used.

Okay, thanks to a program (AIDA32) I was able to look up my system specs.

The soundcard is an Intel 82801EB ICH5- AC'97 Audio Controller (the ' doesn't show up in searches though, I have to remove it to get results on AC97).

The motherboard is a Dell Dimension 4600i. So you're saying I should check Dell first for some drivers or such to fix this problem? If you need anymore system details, just ask. I hope to have this problem resolved real soon.

Honestly, that should be the first place you check.

Here where you'll want to check. 4600i isn't in their list, so just go with th 4600, and try the Integrated Audio driver.

Okay, I checked Dell's site (and I wish I did that first) and downloaded a driver. I get sound now, but only through the left speaker. I switched from my headphones to my speakers to make sure, and it still only plays in one side but not the other. Hopefully this problem is a cinch to fix.

Don't be stupid. You know what I meant. You can either have integrated sound or a sound card. He said "sound card" and then mentioned the AC '97 codec, it was a perfectly reasonable question.

Okay, not now. I still have the problem of the sound coming in one side but not the other. I checked the balance in the volume and it's all set correctly. If I move the balance to the right (where there's no sound), I get no sound at all.

EDIT: Doh, the reason was because the cable (I have an extension cable for both the speakers and headphones) was a bit off. I plugged it in fully, and everything's working properly now.

Closing the thread, thanks for all the help and input.