Update 19-May-2008: In the comments, E.P. notes that Dell today released a new Sigmatel driver package, R182475. This one is identified as v.6.10.0.5866 and once again claims to be only for OptiPlex 740 models. The dialog box lists the same models as those shown below. I’ve successfully installed it on two different Dell systems now.
By and large, Dell’s driver repository works pretty well. But on at least one score lately, it’s been failing, and I’m not sure why.
Last week, Microsoft pushed out a new IDT audio driver via Windows Update. IDT is the company that bought SigmaTel, which makes a lot of the audio chips used on motherboard-based PC sound solutions. So if you have a SigmaTel audio system, that IDT driver should have been for you.
Except it didn’t work. On the one and only system where I installed that update here, it wiped out my audio completely. And a lot of Dell customers had the same experience, based on the uproar in the Dell Community message boards.
The solution, as it turned out, was simply to install the correct driver. But finding that driver was harder than I expected. For some reason, Dell is not linking its master SigmaTel driver file to the many PC models that use this chip. For example, when I went to look for an updated audio driver for my XPS 420, I was offered driver version 6.10.0.5511, released in June 2007. But I knew better and used version 6.10.0.5515, released in February 2008. I’m sure it’s the right one, based on this installation screen that came up at the beginning of the setup process:
The driver package I was offered, using Dell’s numbering scheme, is R157052. The driver I downloaded is R173209. It is a unified 32- and 64-bit driver package and in fact, it even applies to my Inspiron 530. How do I know that? Because when I look at the advanced system details report for the Inspiron 530 I see that it is a DXP061 model, which is listed in the Dimension section of the screen above. (Follow these instructions to see what model number you have.)
This driver also allows you to install Vista Service Pack 1 on a Dell system that would otherwise be blocked by the older SigmaTel driver. So, if you have any of the following Dell models, go get the R173209 update (or the more recent R182475 driver listed in the update at the top of this post):
Dimension/XPS:
5100, 5100C, 9100, C521, DC051, DM051, DM061, DV051
DXC051, DXC061, DXP051, DXP061, E521
XPS 420, XPS 710, XPS 720, DXG061
Optiplex:
210L, 740
Precision:
380, 290, 490, 690
I’ve had to do this alot of times, especially when installing 64bit OS’s on Dell Systems and there is no 64bit option for that particular laptop.
Just this week I was updating the drivers for some D505 laptops I have and if I just went buy what Dell provided on the D505 page then I would have been using very old drives. Instead I just search their entire site, found the latest drivers from a different laptop model and used those.
I also noticed that the D505 video driver was the same one for the Dimension 3000 so I was able to use that one as well.
To go even further the video drivers for the D505/Dimension 3000 provided with Windows Vista are the latest drivers for this chipset. I was able to copy these out of Vista, put them in the XP driver installer and install them on XP/Vista due to them being XPDDM drivers and not WDDM drivers.
ED, I ran into this as well, but just used system restore when my audio was lost.
So, the trick is to install the new update from IDT and then find drivers for the sound again and install those?
I had this happen on my Dell e1405 laptop and a homebrew desktop with Intel motherboard.
A new driver has just been posted today May 19 for certain Dell desktop computers (SIGMATEL_STAC-92XX-C-Major-H_A06_R182475.exe):
Link
This one has version 6.10.5866 of the Sigmatel 92XX HD Audio drivers.
[Broken ink edited - thanks, E. P.! - Ed]
No problem Ed. However, the R182475 package is for Dell “desktop” computers such as Optiplex 740, XPS 420, Dimension E521, etc. and may NOT work for Dell “laptop” computers.
Also important to note that these IDT/Sigmatel HD Audio drivers are NOT generic and will only work on certain Sigmatel/IDT audio hardware on certain computers.
And read this IDT knowledge base document about Vista SP1 not being offered from Windows Update due to outdated audio drivers, Ed:
http://www.idt.com/?app=knowledgebase&contentID=4836
part of the KB document says “IDT can NOT provide driver download support for end users.” That sure makes things harder for Vista users to obtain the right IDT/Sigmatel driver updates for their computers.
Also, check out MS KB article 948343:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948343
It was revised on May 5, 2008 to mention the following:
————–
IDT/SigmaTel
- For x86-based computers: Sthda.cat – published 12/17/07 or earlier
- For x64-based computers: Sthda64.cat – published 12/17/07 or earlier
IDT/SigmaTel
- For x86-based computers: Stwrt.cat – published 12/17/07 or earlier
- For x64-based computers: Stwrt64.cat – published 12/17/07 or earlier
Exceptions for IDT/SigmaTel drivers were made on certain models of Dell, HP, and Sony computers because these drivers were updated to address this issue before the 12/17/07 publish date.
————–
Here are some more Sigmatel driver updates from Dell:
For Dell Inspiron 1420/1520/1521/1720/1721, Latitude XT, Vostro Notebook 1400/1500/1700 & XPS M1330/1730 laptops use the R167846.exe file which has Sigmatel HD Audio drivers v6.10.5609:
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R167846&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_1720&servicetag=&os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=8907&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=3&fileid=227493
For several Dell Latitude, Dell Precision Mobile Workstation laptops use the R171788.exe file:
http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R171788&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=235764
this package has Sigmatel HD Audio drivers 6.10.5614. This one worked on my mother’s Dell Inspiron E1405 laptop. The DirectX diagnostic tool reported the Dell E1405 laptop as system model “MXC061″
And finally take note that these drivers will work with IDT/Sigmatel audio devices with certain “hardware id” numbers. You can check in the STWRT.INF and STWRT.INI files what Hardware IDs the drivers use.
To determine the “hardware id” no. of your IDT/Sigmatel audio device, open the System control panel, click on Device Manager, expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” section, double-click on “Sigmatel High Definition Audio Codec” to view its Properties, click on the Details tab, and change the Property from “Device Description” to “Hardware IDs”
well Ed, it’s little info like “Hardware IDs” that has been proven to be valuable information in using the right audio driver for your computer. enjoy!
One thing annoying the heck out of me with these Sigmatel drivers is that recently I upgraded to Vista from XP on my old Inspiron 6400. Everything works fine till the sound. Music plays find but say if I am running a game full screen with music playing, then I alt-tab, there will be a slowdown in the music with a whole bunch of nasty crackling sounds going on. Eventually things seem to ‘pick up’ and everything returns to normal. The thing is, this crackling problem seems to also impair gaming performance. Have tested it across a few games already and compared to XP, there is a noticeable decrease in performance (I dual-boot).
Really wish something could be done as all drivers I’ve found have failed to solve the problem. The only alternative is to let Vista install it’s default sound drivers. That takes away the crackling component pretty much but causes music to sound way lower in audio quality.
Dan,
I have the same issues with the crackling sound and it’s really making me angry. I tried the Microsoft drivers as well but they weren’t any better. Let me know if you figure anything else out. All my music and games sound like crap on my brand new XPS 420.
Dan and Matt,
Please post the version numbers for the following drivers installed on your XPS 420:
Sound
Network adapter
Display adapter
Also, are you using your SATA drive in IDE mode or AHCI mode? You can tell by looking in Device Manager. If you see a category for IDE/ATAPI controllers, look up the driver version number for ICH9 2 port Serial ATA Storage Controller and post it here. If you have no such category, look under Storage Controller. Do you see an entry for Intel ICH8R\ICH9R SATA Raid Controller? If so, list its driver number.
Not too sure if this is correct but yeah,
Sound: SigmaTel High Def Audio Codec – 6.10.0.5609. I tried to install the latest driver you linked to but it does not seem to be installable on my Inspiron 6400.
Network Adapter: I don’t use the Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG – 11.5.0.32. Instead I use a cable. Better gaming performance online and all. Broadcom 440x – 4.60.0.0
Display Adapter: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400. 8.360.0.0 Last time I checked, ATI hasn’t released new mobility drivers for this card on Vista so I’m using the default driver given by Dell.
I don’t have that ICH9 2 Port fella, but I have a ICH7-M Family Serial ATA Storage Controller. Driver version is 6.0.6000.16584
Hope it helps. Just remember mine is a dated laptop.
Dan, the first three of those drivers are all up to date (you can get more recent versions, but don’t try yet).
However, based on the last driver version it appears you have not yet installed Vista SP1. True?
Ed,
Here are my driver versions.
Sound: SigmaTel High Def Audio Codec 6.10.0.5866
Network Adapter: Dell Wireless 1505 802.11n WLAN mini-card 4.102.15.61
Display Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 7.15.11.7516
Under Storage Controllers I see Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R SATA RAID Controller 7.6.1.1002
Thanks, Matt.
Matt, update your storage driver to 7.8.0.1012:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?ProductID=2842&DwnldID=14848&lang=eng
Also, you need to get the newer wireless driver:
http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?cat=sup&subcat=dyd&c=us&l=en&s=gen&k=R174292
I have found in the past that crackling sound is often directly tied to storage and network drivers.
Ed
Ed, it seems to be working good so far after updating those drivers. Thanks! Interesting how network and storage drivers cause stuttering.
Yeah that’s right, I haven’t gotten around to installing SP1 yet. I usually prefer to install it after a fresh reformat but haven’t had the time (Or enough HD space to backup) to get it underway. I could update it straight over but I have had some rather bad upgrading experiences in the past heh.
But do you think a SP1 upgrade would potentially solve the problem?
Dan, an SP1 upgrade would be the very first thing I would recommend.
What about those of us running XP or XPMCE? Not to sound like a jerk but I don’t trust Vista …. Will these drivers work for an XP/XPMCE system?
It should be noted that Dell installed the SigmaTel Drivers and hardware ….. After being told to use an Audigy Advanced MB. THAT utility was installed but it looks to me like they never put in the actual hardware.
Sean, you’ll need to visit Dell’s support pages to find out about XP drivers. The driver models are different, so Vista drivers won’t work on your XP machine. This post and comment thread is about Vista.
i have a dell inspiron 1501….i was trying to get music to play from my soundcard but couldnt. which is a sigmatel…can someone please help me…i was told to download R171789.exe and i did, but it said it was the wrong one….
Hey Ed, I decided to upgrade to SP1. Everything installed smoothly and such. So far I believe it has fixed up that sound problem I’ve been having. I’m not 100% certain but things are looking rather bright. I’ll continue testing things around. If it comes back I’ll make another post as an update
Thanks!
Glad I ran across your page. Just an FYI – the audio driver you mention – v.6.10.0.5866 – also works for Dell XPS 410/Dimension 9200 desktops. I was originally trying to come up with an answer as to why Windows Media Player kept skipping in the last 20 seconds of a song. So far the new audio driver seems to have fixed my issue – I can use my enhancements instead of disabling them (how I got WMP to work w/o skipping). Dell’s last audio driver for SigmaTel for my computer model & vista was pubished back around 6/07 or so. However, I used one of the above links and installed the driver. Voila – now it seems to be working well. Thanks again. This has been a wonderful help.
I’m experiencing sound stuttering under Vista 32 with my new XPS 1520. Unfortunately this driver fails to install on my system.
Dunno what to to next.