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No Sound record on Dell Dimensions E520

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Latest post 11/04/2009 05:21 AM by fireberd. 3 replies.
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Joined on 10/28/2009
Posts: 2
Points 40

No Sound record on Dell Dimensions E520

03 Nov 2009 06:41AM

Hi All,

I recently did a clean install from Vista Home premium to Windows 7 Home premiun, and now find that whilst i can still play sound ok, I have lost the ability to record any form of sound from my speakers be it a played track in media player or a streamed audio programme.

I have downloaded the the most recent drivers available from Dell, but it seems their  latest version for the E520, is dated  2007.

Although my machine is less than 3 yrs old, and passed the MS Win 7 compatability test before I pre-ordered it,  I now presume, that my integrated sound card is no longer deemed suitable / compatable  for Windows 7.

Does anybody know, please,:

1)  Are Dell going to issue an up to date Win 7 compatable driver for the E520.

2)  Is there a reliable work around for this problem.( I have already tried a generic driverto no avail)

3)  Do I now need to install a seperate Win 7 Compatable sound card and if so, reccomendations please.

grateful for any help, please.

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

  • Post Points: 20

3 Replies:

Inverness, FL
Joined on 05/29/2002
Posts: 30,555
Points 117,770

Re: No Sound record on Dell Dimensions E520

03 Nov 2009 05:08PM

The Dimension E520 (and my Dimension E510/5150) are discontinued models (or "legacy" models as they are referred to in some Dell documentation).  As such, the drivers that are on the Dell downloads are all that will ever be issued.  Keep in mind Dell, like HP, Gateway, etc, is in the business of selling new PC's.

First did you do a correct install?  (1) Install Windows (2) Install chipset drivers (3) Install Device Drivers.  If the chipset drivers were not installed the sound drivers will usually not install and/or the sound will not work correctly.  The Intel (motherboard) chipset drivers define what is on or attached to the motherboard.

The Vista drivers, on the Dell downloads, HERE should all work with Windows 7 as Windows 7 is really Vista "improved".

There are issues with many Dell's and recording as there is no "System Mixer" for recording streaming audio.  There have also been problems with recording - that you can record to the hard drive from the Line In or Mic input but you can't monitor what you are recording on the PC's speakers.  This is most likely related to the no System Mixer.  We are seeing a lot of problems with the SoundBlaster Xfi systems, both on Vista and Windows 7 so I would not recommend SoundBlaster sound cards (at least not until they get the Windows 7 drivers posted (or fixed).  In fact there have been so many SoundBlaster Xfi sound card problems that when my SoundBlaster Audigy 2 sound card went bad, I replaced it with an HTO Striker 7.1 sound card, which has Vista and Windows 7 drivers (both 32 bit and 64 bit OS) and it has the System Mixer function for streaming audio recording. 

 

Dimension E510 with D925 CPU and Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Home Built PC with Q6600 CPU, 8GB RAM, HD4850 Video, HTO Striker 7.1 Audio Card - Windows 7 64 bit Professional

Sonar 8.5.1 ( Producer) DAW Software/Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Recording Interface and Frontier Tranzport wireless controller.

  • Post Points: 20
Joined on 10/28/2009
Posts: 2
Points 40

Re: No Sound record on Dell Dimensions E520

03 Nov 2009 11:33PM

Hi Fireberd,

Thank you very much for your comprehensive reply, most of which confirms my own general ( non too techie) thoughts, and yes I did install to the letter ( twice in fact).

I wonder, do you have any thooughts on the TRUST SC-5100 sound card, which does have up to date Win 7 drivers ?

 ( I am not too worried about sound quality as i don't do gaming and have a seperate sound sytem for main music playback)

Best regards.

  • Post Points: 20
Inverness, FL
Joined on 05/29/2002
Posts: 30,555
Points 117,770

Re: No Sound record on Dell Dimensions E520

04 Nov 2009 05:21AM

I know nothing about Trust so I can't offer an opinion either way.

Dimension E510 with D925 CPU and Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Home Built PC with Q6600 CPU, 8GB RAM, HD4850 Video, HTO Striker 7.1 Audio Card - Windows 7 64 bit Professional

Sonar 8.5.1 ( Producer) DAW Software/Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Recording Interface and Frontier Tranzport wireless controller.

  • Post Points: 5
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