Onboard sound problem

[Davey W]

Hi Brettsk1,

Am I right in saying that the CD was an Asus CD labelled P5N32 SLI? It looks as though that disc was sent out and that disc is the one for your motherboard. If it didn't work then it's likely there's something wrong other than a simple driver re-install issue here.

I think it might be time to merge threads though as we seem to be going down two different avenues with each thread at the moment.

Davey

[Brettsk1]

Ok Davey, I'll post just here from now on.

Yep, that's the right cd. The interface header was titled 'Asus P5N32 SLI Premium' although the physical cd was labelled 'P5N32SLI SE' dunno if that has any bearing on things?

[Brettsk1]

Ok, I've had another look at the CD. The interface window is entitled:

"ASUS P5N32-SLI PREMIUM motherboard support CD for Windows XP Home/Professional"

Should I have a CD for Windows MCE? The README.TXT in the 'Audio' folder also makes no mention of Windows MCE support.

Is there anything in that do you think?

Also I've had a look in setup to ensure the device is enabled, here's what I've got under 'Onboard device configuration':

IDE Function setup
Serial-ATA configuration
Disable all onboard devices [Disabled]
Onboard 1st nVidia LAN [Enabled]
Onboard 2nd nVidia LAN [Enabled]
Onboard LAN boot rom [Disabled]
HD Audio [Auto]
Front panel support type [AC97]
Silicon SATAII controller [SATA mode]
Onboard 1394 [Enabled]
Serial Port 1 address [3F8/IRQ4]

[Davey W]

Hi Brettsk1,

Normally drivers don't distinguish between Home/Professional or Media Centre Edition specifically although some times there are differing options/abilities.

When you refer to Interface Window are you referring the writing on the CD itself? You mentioned P5N32-SLI SE earlier which wouldn't be right as that has a different sound chip and from our QC it does seem you have the P5N32-SLI Premium board.

Davey

[Brettsk1]

The CD itself has 'P5N32-SLI SE' printed on it, which I thought was wrong at the time of receiving it. But when you boot up the CD, the [on screen] interface window states "ASUS P5N32-SLI PREMIUM motherboard support CD for Windows XP Home/Professional".

The only driver for Audio on the CD is something called 'Realtek AC'97 Audio', which doesn't work at all. The old driver I had was 'SoundMAX'.

Just to confirm I do have a P5N32-SLI Premium board

Could be a mix up on with the CD do you think?

[Davey W]

Hi Brettsk1,

I think so. It is a bit strange to have the label say one thing and the content to be something else.

I'll send out a copy of the disc I have that actually states the P5N32-SLI Premium on the disc label itself.

Davey

[Brettsk1]

Many thanks Davey, much appreciated!

[finger crossed etc]

[Brettsk1]

Hi Davey,

Got the cd, thanks; it's definitely the right one this time (different labelling etc).

The install completed fine, but the sound problem still persists. [big sigh]

If this can't be solved, would fitting a sound card just bypass this issue? Or is it worth persevering to find a solution as it could just mask a hardware fault that could lead to further problems?

[simonwong1989]

Usually a soundcard will cover the issue but not fix it. I think it might really be the motherboard.

[Davey W]

Hi Brettsk1,

Looking at the whole picture it's either you have a different motherboard in your system or the motherboard is faulty. It's possible that something on the system might affect the output but I'm sure we would have highlighted it or encountered other problems.

You could use a soundcard to get around the problem but firstly as simonwong1989 says it is hiding the problem rather than resolving it, and secondly, given we do not know the exact cause, you may actually find that you still have the problem afterwards.

I note your warranty is for return to base (and you are covered until December 2009 so plenty of time) so adding a card would save the return. I received the update that the repair turnaround has dropped officially to 3-5 working days as of this morning which only strengthens my recommendation to have the PC examined further.

Davey

[Brettsk1]

ok, I think I better let you have it back then. I have a soundcard on order but I suppose it's best to get to the bottom of these things sooner rather than later.

Also, you may see in my account that I have an unresolved [possible] graphics card issue when using DVI port. I've not bothered with the return as yet as I'm using the VGA port with no problems, but I'm now concerned the motherboard issue might be related to this too? And of course I'd prefer to use the DVI connection. So as you're having the tower back I guess you could kill two birds?

I have some extra RAM I've fitted since purchase, should I remove it beforehand?

[Davey W]

Hi Brettsk1,

I've raised paperwork for the system's return and a returns label will be on its way to you shortly.

I would recommend removal of the RAM and safe storage until the system's return. If your RAM is not in the system it removes any possibility of confusion or it being omitted on the system's return. Obviously leave the original RAM inside though.

Davey

[Brettsk1]

Hi Davey,

Could you just clarify something for me please.

My PC is currently with your workshop. I received a call saying that they are going to replace both the motherboard and graphics card.

I gather that a P5N32 SLI PREMIUM is not currently available and that I would be getting a P5N32 SLI E instead. [In my original order I chose to upgrade to a P5N32 SLI SE DELUXE and was further upgraded to the PREMIUM due to availability problems].

Your technician assures me that the P5N32 SLI E is a higher spec motherboard to the SE DELUXE. Is this the case? As far as I can make out I'm not sure it is (judging by price comparison anyway).

I called your technician back and asked for clarification, but I'm still a bit bemused as to what the best option is. In the end he agreed that the SE DELUXE board was better and will fit that… So I’m none the wiser really…

Can you shed any light on the subject? I just want to be sure that the board I get isn't below the spec my original order.

Thanks,

[ukengineer]

if its not the premium, its not upto spec, has the premium is the top notch dogs danglys.

[Davey W]

Hi Brettsk1,

Firstly "higher spec" is *always* subjective depending on your needs. You could be upgrading from a 486 board to a quad core board, but if it doesn't have that serial port that you so desperately need then it's hard to consider it an improvement. OK, my example is incredibly extreme that you'd likely not refuse it but the principal idea is there.

I've put the P5N32-SLI Premium(referred to from here on as OLD) and P5N32-E SLI (NEW) specifications side by side and to be honest I'd go for the latter myself.

• The NEW board supports all CPU's the OLD one does but also supports Quad Core which the OLD did not.
• OLD chipset is 590 whereas the NEW one is 680i.
• OLD FSB was limited at 1066 whereas the NEW offers up to 1333.
• Expansion slots seem spec'd exactly the same which is unusual (usually there's a small difference).
• Same number of SATA ports *except* the OLD had 2 external ports whereas the NEW does not.
• NEW has support for up to 10 ports compared to the OLD with 8. Not a huge difference admittedly but a difference none-the-less.
• The OLD board has onboard wifi whereas the NEW does not.

So the OLD board has external SATA ports and onboard WIFI that the NEW lacks but strictly speaking these also weren't a part of your original order either. And if you didn't use these items then the board change is more positive.

The P5N32 SLI Deluxe is pretty much the same sort of deal as the OLD although the major point there is that it uses the nForce4 chipset.

Davey