I just spent an hour with Dell tech support trying to sort this out. Here are the details of the problem I had:

-Could hear some system sounds
-iTunes wouldn't play media files
-the SigmaTel Audio Drivers available through Dell didn't work; when I hovered over the red X, it said that the Audio Service was disabled.
-Automatically updating the drivers didn't work.

My repair steps:

1) Follow the directions in editing the registry to remove dependencies from Windows Audio Service.
2) Uninstall the SigmaTel driver available through the Dell website.
3) Install this instead: SigmaTel C-Major HD Audio Driver Driver Summary

Now all of my media programs play music just fine. To download that file, you have to either pay $3.00 or view about six ads. I skipped over all of the ads and, in return, i was rewarded with glorious music :-)

Hope this helps.

Hi!!!!! I also have a Vista Home Premium. My HP came with a free trial activation installed. If you have that, all you need is to look up the temporary key code--there are prompts. One month free trial, it's a rental. I'm not sure how it works, but the actual software to buy is very expensive. There are alternatives, Open Office for example.

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Celestra

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i had the same problem with my dell desktop and i downloaded this and it was fixed

Earlier tonight, I was simply moving my desktop from the floor to a stand (An old 2GB desktop that I started my business on years ago).

After pulling out the audio plug and microphone plug, moving it and then replugging them, I lost all sound!

I uninstalled the crappy digital device it automatically loaded, reset it to 'speakers' and did a sound test. Voila! Sound returned.

However, now the microphone doesn't work!

I've tried it in every hole there is on the machine and still nothing! Even the bloody wizard doesn't want to bother trying anymore! lol

So, anyone know how to reinstall the mic? I've tried everything I know.

Thanks in advance.

The moron posting the 'Rapidshare' link two messages above is spamming.
It's an ad for webhosting - and not very good web hosting at that...probably bought it on ebay! Loser!

Hi, have you checked your sound properties via the control panel? You'll probably have to turn it back on as I'm sure it's off by default.

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All you have to do is roll back the driver thats what i did and it worked. good luck. I also found this on another site and it has seemed to work for most people.

Click start and type recovery into the search box

Click on Recovery Manager

Select Advanced Options

Select hardware driver re-install

Select your audio driver and click go and cross your fingers.

Good luck...

how did u get it done.. please help me.. i hv the same prob.. and want sm help.. !!!
my id harshitha_k_v@hotmail.com

Hi!!! I have not gone through every body's stuff, but it looks very familiar..... About a month or so ago. I have a Vista Home Premium. My first reaction was to re-install the speaker device. To make a long story short, it ended up going back to factory settings. Sincerely, Celestra

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Celestra

this problem happened to me all you have to do is roll back the driver and restart your computer