Hey There,

I want to update to Vista SP1, but I'm not being offered this through Windows Update. The reason is because my sound driver is one of those listed that has known problems with Vista.

See Cause#5 here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946532

I have a Sigmatel High Def. Audio Codec sound card and the driver file is: stwrt.sys

Here are my specs:

Dell Dimension 5150
2 GB DDR SDRAM
Intel Pentium D Dual Core Processor
Dell Motherboard
Video: ATI Radeon X1600 in a PCIe x 16 pin slot (512MB Video RAM)
Audio: Sigmatel High Def. Audio Codec

Audio Driver Details: Sigmatel Stac 92XX C-Major HD Audio, Ver. 6.10.0.5343

As you can see, my driver version does not allow me to be offered SP1 as per the MS link above.

I searched for a driver on the Dell site which was compatible for my system. I used filters for Dimension 5150, E510 and "Multi System". I found a few drivers that had a later version than 6.10.0.5511 (which is the SP1 requirement), but after installing any of them, I get no sound....none of them work.

I removed all traces of the previous Sigmatel files, rebooted my computer and installed several of these "updates", one at a time. I end up getting a red X through my speaker icon, which says: "No Audio Device Detected". Device Manager shows and exclamation point with a Code 31 error.

I also tried unplugging the speakers and plugging them back in.

I need an updated driver that will WORK.

Any suggestions??

Thx.

Split from another topic.

I spoke to Dell Support on the issue. It appears that depending on the Dell model that you have (Dimension, Inspiron, etc.), you will have a certain brand of the Sigmatel HD Audio card. So even though most Dell models have a Sigmatel STAC 92XX C-Major HD Audio Sound card, the code assigned to it is very specific.

I have to use the right driver to match the card in my system. It's not just the NAME of the device that is important, but the driver that I want to use must match the model # of the card. Thus, out of at least 6 drivers with different versions for the same type of card, only 1 driver will work on my system since it "ties-in" with the signature on the device & motherboard.

They told me that they would eventually provide updated Sigmatel drivers for my system, but not anytime soon. Since Sigmatel tells you on their website to go to your computer manufacturer for your drivers, I'm at Dell's mercy.

I guess I'm SOL on this one....

I hope MS works out the driver incompatibilites with Sigmatel and updates their SP1 software before automatic release in mid-April.

IamCanadian,Eh--

Read my post on page 2 of the Vista section. I had your same problem. I did install the newer SigmaTel driver, and then I downloaded and installed manually the SP1 update. No problems with it at all.

How long did it take SP1 to install from the standalone?
How many reboots were required?
Did you need to reinstall any drivers?
Sound working good?

Thanks!

Download took approx 1 hr. 22 min. to download. I have 760 kps DSL.
Took approx 35 min to install. I just left my install alone. There were, I believe, 3 restarts.
I did not have to reinstall any drivers.
Sound is good.

If when you finish and decide you are going to keep SP1, you can clean up the installation files using the following. Remember that if you use the clean up you cannot uninstall SP1. I can't think of any good reason to do so.

Click Start.
Click Run.
Type cmd, hit enter.
Type vsp1cln.exe.
Hit enter.

Good Luck.

DONE! No glitches...thanks for the info.

Actually, I removed the offending Sigmatel driver, rebooted and let Vista install the standard. After checking Windows Update TWICE, I received the update!

Thanks for your assistance!