AC97 Driver Errors
If you have a Realtek AC97 audio driver or are trying to install one, you may experience and
issue with the drivers that come with this device if you are running a Windows XP PC with Service Pack 3. Errors are typically experience during the installation process, and when the error occurs you are asked if you want to continue through the process, only to have your computer suddenly shut down without warming.
This can be a very disappointing event and can cause a lot of stress for someone that is simply trying to get the device installed. There are a number of solutions that can help you get this device installed. They may not all work, but here is one you could try.
You will want to perform a virus scan on your computer before initiating the download. You should also consider doing a SFC scan to try and determine what exactly is causing the issue with the audio driver that you are trying to install. When doing so, you may want to disconnect your PC from the internet and turn off your antivirus software so a true, full scan can be performed.
Downloading Chipset and Sound Drivers
You’ll want to locate the Intel INF chipset drivers, and download the Realtek AC97 audio driver. In most cases you can locate these drivers by doing a search for them on the Intel website.
Removing Your Sound Driver
If you want to remove your existing sound driver, simply click Start, Control Panel. From there you can choose Add or Remove Programs. Once the list of programs is fully displayed, select the AC97 Realtek drivers and remove them. You should also locate and completely remove the Realtek folder from your PC once the program has been removed.
It is a good idea to also open up the device manager on your computer and browse the installed audio devices to make sure the component does not appear in this list either. When you are certain the device is removed completely from your PC, perform a restart. Open a complete reboot, the hardware (if installed) will be recognized. You can close this and ignore it.
Installing Drivers
It is important that you always remember to restart your computer after an installation is completed. If you do not do this, you may have to redo the process all together which can be very time consuming if you have to do it a number of times.
The first thing you will want to do is install the chipset driver. You can simply run the file that you downloaded to go through the installation process. Once this installation is complete, reboot your PC.
You will then want to install the next driver by repeating the previous step in order to initiate the installation process. Restart your PC once more and the try to play and audio file to verify that the audio does indeed work. Look in the device manager to verify that there are no issues with the devices that you have installed, including the audio device in question. The solution presented here may not always work for the simple fact that not all computers are created equally, and some are not as compatible with devices that you may be trying to use. If this is the case in your situation, don’t worry, there is always a solution for the problem, it just takes a little patience and determination.
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