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
Hey Ed,
This has been an enlightening forum.
VENT:
Bought D530 Latitude laptop from Dell with XP home.
Beefed up Hard drive to 7200 rpm, 3 gig Ram, T7500 Duo Core at 2.2 GHZ.
Contacted chat support because of audio drop outs, cracks, pops etc and they had me do diagnostics out the butt which said there was no problem– then they had me wipe the drive and re-install XP. That was a fun time… with no success.
Back to chat and they said send the unit back for a new motherboard. They changed the speakers…even though my tests were mostly through headphones.
I get the unit back and nothing is fixed. So they have me send it back to get the new motherboard. Unit comes back and nothing is changed (except my new speakers and now motherboard.) But the audio drop outs are there.
Yet another Tech (on phone) has me re-run all of the diagnostics etc and then puts me on hold for 1/2 hour. Comes back and says the driver for the sound card is the problem and they have no solution AND that they’ve known about this issue with SIGMA TEL for a long time.
He then kindly suggests that I go buy an external sound card.
I figure I can pitch a bitch and send it back and upgrade to and XPS but here it says even more expensive laptops have the same Sound card and issue.
If you have continued to read this far, I thank you!
Does anyone have any ideas about what driver I could use to fix this? Is there such a thing as aftermarket drivers that can work?
Thanks for listening…
Rob
Hi Ed,
I’m another one who can’t get the “Stereo Mix” out of my Dell Inspiron 1720. I have been able to install the 5614 drivers, but the 5886 will not install.
Do you know of any other way I can get this problem resolved? I still can’t believe that this is disabled by default. I’t fairly common these days for people to want to record “what you hear” and it’s simply not available.
Cheers,
Doc
hello
i’ve installed Windows XP SP3 on my DXC051 but i do not have sound on my computer.
I’ve tried all the drivers for sigmatel but nothing happened. and when i tried to run this last sigmaTel driver, i says that it’s not the correct audio driver for this system.
please help me and email me
thanks
I insist, that’s incredible how they’re doing that on Dell with their SIGMATEL STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio. Tried everything, the “latest” version they have on their site (6.10.0.5511, A04) is absolutely capped. That really sucks, that’s incredible how, paradoxically, as we advance in time, we go back in functionality with the guys in Dell. We may be back to the stone age in some years.
Tried downloading LG’s notebook drivers, the 95mb one would **** everything (even sound playback), and the other ones simply do nothing.
As i said, as a home user, i’m really tired of these. I don’t see it logical paying more than 1000€ to people who wants you being unable to do something everybody can except Dell clients.
Do any of these driver updates contain a ‘WAV Out’ or ‘Stereo Mix’ as a /recording source? /
hi folks i got a virus on my dell 3100 i wiped the drive and reinstalled windows xp proffesional but my audio drivers is not responding. help please
Hey Ed,
Need Help. I have a Dell Dimensions E521 and I can not install the drivers for the Sigma Tel High Definitions Audio CODEC (64 Bit Windows). I have tried to install the R182475 and when it starts to install an error message comes up “error 18 can not install drivers. I have tried to install all different drivers and nothing seems to work. I purchased driver dective to help update the drivers and I can’t get anything to work.
Any help is appreciated!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Mark
Hi,
I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 Laptop. After I reformat the laptop with Window XP SP2, I go back to dell.com and locate the R171789 audio driver provided and tried to install it. During installation, when it comes to “configurating your new software installation”, it stops suddenly. I have tried that many times, but it won’t work at all. Now, there is no way I can play my music! Can any expert please help? Thanks in advance!
I bought an XPS 420 with Vista Ultimate near the beginning of the year and had no problems with the sound until I stupidly decided to update my drivers. Now I cannot get it working again. I’ve even tried the Dell driver CD that it came with – no luck. Here’s my HW ID:
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7618&SUBSYS_10280215&REV_1002
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7618&SUBSYS_10280215
Any help would be great!
A FG,
Go into Device Manager and uninstall the drivers that are currently installed for this device. You should get a check box that offers to remove the driver files. Say yes.
Now restart your computer. Does the system re-detect and install the correct driver?
Long story and plenty of stupidity later, the R182475 drivers linked at the top worked fine. It appears the surround cable ended up on the main speaker jack somehow. There’s no way my wife would go somewhere as dusty as the back of my computer, so it’s a mystery. Thanks for the help!
Hi Ed.
New Sigmatel STAC 92XX HD Audio v6.10.0.5866 driver for Dell XPS M1530 laptop in the R190517 package for Vista 32bit/64bit editions (released October 21):
http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R190517&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=261467
Hardware IDs supported by the R190517 Sigmatel hd audio driver-
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801B5
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801D8
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801C2
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801C8
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CC
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801D4
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801D6
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CE
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CF
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801C9
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CA
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CB
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801D3
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801BD
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801EE
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801EF
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801F6
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CD
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_10280201
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_10280218
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801F5
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_1028022A
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280204
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280217
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801F9
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801FA
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801FE
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801FF
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280206
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280200
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280232
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_1028024A
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280212
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280213
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280216
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280219
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_1028021B
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280241
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_1028024B
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801F2
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801FD
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_1028021F
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280229
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801F8
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_1028021C
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801F1
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801FC
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_10280228
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_102801BF
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_102801D7
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_10280209
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_1028022E
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_1028022F
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_10280230
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_102801F3
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_10280227
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_10280242
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_10280243
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_102801F7
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_1028023A
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_1028023B
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_10280244
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_10280245
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7616&SUBSYS_1028020A
Long list but the “102801D8″ ID was on the list and the driver worked on the Inspiron E1405 laptop.
Sigmatel v6.10.0.6017 Vista audio driver for Dell XPS/Dimension 430 desktop computer [R190321] released October 21:
http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R190321&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=261430
Sigmatel v6.10.0.5866 Vista 64bit only audio driver for Dell XPS M1330 laptop [R186858] released October 22:
http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R186858&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=255669
HI so glad I found this web sight!!!!!!! I have an Inspiron 1420 and installed 64 bit and my sound stoped working… I saw a link to a dell web sight which had 64 sigmatel 64 bit sound drivers… thank you so much… I have asked for help on yaahoo answers, dell tech chat, and many others nothing …. Now I have olny one more question??? after installing the 64 bit sigmatel driver it is deffently not as loud as it was before I installed 64 bit.. Also is their a free sight that will scan my computer for me and up date my drivers to 64 bit??? seeing is how i don’t think all my drivers were updated with vistas updates… And if my sound is just goung to be this low can i install sigmstel 32 sound drivers and it be as loud as it was before??? Also can I have all my drivers expect my sound driver 32 bit (( like if i were to install 32bit sound driver and have the rest 64bit)) can you have both 32 and 64 bit drivers with a 64 bit or do they all have to be the same???
sir
i really found alot information from this side. i also have a problem .i have dell 505 with sigmatel c major audio sound card.it is working but now when i install a usb tv capture then i could nt listen sound from my labtop.i m so worry about it.when i cheeked tv card setting i found a error that no input for sound .please help me to solve this problem
Hi Ed,
I’m really grateful for your blog! I have a question about the new drivers R182475.
I was wondering if the new SigmaTel drivers will FINALLY unlock the sound cards full duplex capabilities. Currently, I cannot record and play at the same time. Searching many forums later, it seems Dell disables them because of fear that people will record live internet music streams. This is also why people cant use their mic and hear their voice in the speakers at the same time for karaoke fun. Will the new drivers fix this? I hear people are editing registries to fix this. Thanks sooooo much for your advice! (Chris above mentioned the new drivers also worked on his Dimension 9200, so Im hoping this will be the same for my 9200).
*Correction*
Line 7:
This is also why people cant use their mic *TO RECORD* and hear their voice in the speakers at the same time for karaoke fun.
Kelly, try reading this:
http://blogs.msdn.com/larryosterman/archive/2008/07/11/whatever-happened-to-wave-out-mix.aspx
Ed,
I’d really appreciate some help on this, since you’re clearly an expert, and especially since I can’t find ANY forum where this problem has been detailed (even though there is clearly a multitude of problems with SigmaTel and Creative). It’s pretty simple: after I updated my SigmaTel driver to R171789, my Audigy Advanced MB software won’t work. I get an error that it cannot detect supported hardware. I tried installing an earlier version of the SigmaTel driver and no luck. SO, either I can use the Audigy applications…without sound, or have sound with no Audigy applications. Can’t Dell let my E1405 have both?
Thanks for your help.
I have loss of sound also on a Dell Inspiron 5150 and XP Home SP2.
I loose sound after closing lid to enter standby. A reboot always fixes the problem until I close lid and enter standby. If standby is disabled the problem does not occur.
Have checked all the usual places like device manager and sound settings in control panel – everything appears normal. Earphones always work.
Have installed latest sound drivers (Sigma Tel) from Dell with no change
Dxdiag generates the following:
Sound Tab 1: DirectSound test results: Failure at step 19 (User verification of software): HRESULT = 0×00000000 (error code) – this is only after resuming from standby mode. If tested before entering standby, no errors are reported and no problems are reported.
System was restored to a known good point to no avail. This point was immediately prior to letting windows update install 12 critical updates. Have installed latest sound drivers (Sigma Tel) from Dell with no change.
Have deleted sound device from within device manager then reboot with new install. Everything works fine until resuming from standby mode. Also have latest BIOS from Dell. There are no tweaks for sound in BIOS.
Ed,
After installing the R182475 (v.6.10.0.5866) Sigmatel drivers on my Dell XPS 420 I have both the speaker icon and the Sigmatel icon in the system tray (just as it was in earlier driver versions). Right clicking on the Sigmatel Icon displays 3 choices: “Enable jack Monitoring”, “Open Audio Control Panel”, and “About”.
Toggling “Enable jack Monitoring” checks and unchecks this item but has no effect on behavior that I can see.
Clicking on “Open Audio Control Panel” has no effect whatsoever. No new window opens or process is added to the task manager process list. Any ideas on why I have never been able to open the audio control panel using any Sigmatel diver version?
I am still struggling to enable Line-in monitoring during recording but have had no success, even after performing all the registry hacks I have found for this topic.
Thanks for your help.