# Computer Sound problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 10, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129 "2010-11-10T01:39:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/1 "2010-11-10T01:39:38Z")
Here’s the deal: I got one of those AV viruses and had to completely wipe my computer. Since then, I have been unable to get the sound to work. My symptoms and issues: 1. After I got the virus, the sound stopped working. 2. When I reinstalled Windows XP, sound still didn’t work. I did a CTC Ram memory clear. 3. When I checked the drivers, it says the correct drivers are installed (Realtek.) 4. When I try to reinstall the drivers, the software says I need service pack 1. 5. I can’t install service pack 1. I currently have 2 choices: 1. Buy Windows 7. 2. Buy a new computer or sound card. However, if this is a hardware issue, buying windows 7 won’t matter…the sound still won’t work. So, my question is: how can I tell if it is a hardware issue or a driver issue? ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/2 "2010-11-10T01:46:31Z")
Probably this: [Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) High Definition Audio class driver version 1.0a available for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 - Microsoft Support](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888111) To be more helpful, the Realtek integrated audio stuff needs this UAA fix before its driver can see it. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/3 "2010-11-10T02:12:35Z")
When you say “completely wipe” are we talking about a low-level c: format here? Or what, specifically? > [@](#): > > 1. I can’t install service pack 1. Why not? And what about SP3? ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/4 "2010-11-10T02:14:39Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > Probably this: [Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) High Definition Audio class driver version 1.0a available for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 - Microsoft Support](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888111) > > To be more helpful, the Realtek integrated audio stuff needs this UAA fix before its driver can see it. Cool, I’ll try it…I read the link and it says it only works with SP 2. What happens when I install SP 3? ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/5 "2010-11-10T02:19:13Z")
It’s included in SP3. So re-installing the driver after you load SP3 should give you sound. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/6 "2010-11-10T02:39:42Z")
Ok, I’ve got my fingers crossed…what’s scary is that the first time I set up this computer, sound worked right away. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/7 "2010-11-10T04:14:03Z")
My usual fix, and often successful, is to uninstall the sound card in the control panel and reboot. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-sound-problem/560129/8 "2010-11-10T05:25:40Z")
Ok, got it. I couldn’t load SP 1 because I didn’t load the ethernet driver (it wasn’t the full sp, it was a loader.) Once I loaded the ethernet driver, sp1 could load which then allowed me to load SP 3, where the sound started working. Thanks all who replied. 🙂