• ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
  • ×
    Information
    Need Windows 11 help?
    Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
    Windows 11 Support Center.
  • post a message
Guidelines
Seize the moment! nominate yourself or a tech enthusiast you admire & join the HP Community Experts!
Check out our WINDOWS 11 Support Center info about: OPTIMIZATION, KNOWN ISSUES, FAQs, VIDEOS AND MORE.
HP Recommended
ProBook 6550b
Microsoft Windows XP

Hi,
Short story, my laptop somehow lost sound in the speakers, but the headphones were ok.
I tried all this advice from forums (including loosening a sensor, with toothpick, from the phonejack)

next advice, I unistalled IDT from the Device Manager to attempt to reinstall

lost all sound in and out, my 'Audio n Sounds Properties"say I've got nothing installed
and Chrome subsequently also.. just no sound anywhere
and I cant find any internet 'free' download/install 

what the hell have I done?
P L E A S E .... H e l p

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
HP Recommended

@Vlad888

 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum - we are a community of HP enthusiasts!

 

Reinstalling from within the Device Manager works if the required driver is someplace where the Manager can locate it.

 

System:

HP ProBook 6550b Notebook PC

 

Before you make changes > Create a Restore Point: System Restore XP

 

Confirm / Correct your Operating System > Open the Audio Section >

Download and save the Driver to your computer

 

Close all your other programs, browsers

 

Open the folder in which you saved the driver (Downloads or similar) >

Double-Click on the installation package to install the Driver

 

In most cases, it is best to restart the computer after you install drivers / software (even if it is not "required" to do so).

 

Commentary

 

XP is no longer supported -- I suggest you download all your computer's Drivers and keep them backed up to a safe location.  Do the same for your User Guides and anything else of interest you find at your computer's website support pages.

 

Why?  Because when it disappears, the information won't be coming back.

 

 

When you see a Post that helps you,

Inspires you, provides fresh insight,

Or teaches you something new,

Click the "Thumbs Up" on that Post.

 

Fixed / Answered? Click that post Accept as Solution to help others find Answers.

 

 

Dragon-Fur

View solution in original post

5 REPLIES 5
HP Recommended

@Vlad888

 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum - we are a community of HP enthusiasts!

 

Reinstalling from within the Device Manager works if the required driver is someplace where the Manager can locate it.

 

System:

HP ProBook 6550b Notebook PC

 

Before you make changes > Create a Restore Point: System Restore XP

 

Confirm / Correct your Operating System > Open the Audio Section >

Download and save the Driver to your computer

 

Close all your other programs, browsers

 

Open the folder in which you saved the driver (Downloads or similar) >

Double-Click on the installation package to install the Driver

 

In most cases, it is best to restart the computer after you install drivers / software (even if it is not "required" to do so).

 

Commentary

 

XP is no longer supported -- I suggest you download all your computer's Drivers and keep them backed up to a safe location.  Do the same for your User Guides and anything else of interest you find at your computer's website support pages.

 

Why?  Because when it disappears, the information won't be coming back.

 

 

When you see a Post that helps you,

Inspires you, provides fresh insight,

Or teaches you something new,

Click the "Thumbs Up" on that Post.

 

Fixed / Answered? Click that post Accept as Solution to help others find Answers.

 

 

Dragon-Fur

HP Recommended

thanks for that, but...how do I know or work Device Manager to find/install the missing driver?
btw, the OS is XP, but the sticker on the laptop is Win7

the the links you gave are for Win7, will they work also
as for the "restore point" when did that the PC on restart say it didn't restore/change the computer
'edited reply'
WELL... that was INTERESTING..... 
Windows 7, the link you gave was PERFECT
Back to where I was... 
and it would appear that after all that drama... 
the reinstallation was useless to turn on the laptop's speakers (you have any ideas for that?)
anyhow ... God bless you for all your help 🙂
Vlad

HP Recommended

@Vlad888

 


@Vlad888 wrote:

thanks for that, but...how do I know or work Device Manager to find/install the missing driver?


btw, the OS is XP, but the sticker on the laptop is Win7

 

the the links you gave are for Win7, will they work also


as for the "restore point" when did that the PC on restart say it couldn't restore


  • I have not looked at XP for a long time -- the Device Manager is available in the Control Panel.

Windows 7 and beyond, like this:

Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager

 

How To Configure Devices By Using Device Manager in Windows XP

How to manage devices in Windows XP

How to open Device Manager in Windows XP - YouTube How To Open Device Manager (Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP)

 

Fancy_Lines_4.jpg

 

  • If the sticker says "Windows 7" it is likely the computer was downgraded from Windows 7 to XP.  Why someone would do that is a mystery I cannot solve for you.

Fancy_Lines_4.jpg

 

  • I do not understand -- are you saying you are unable to create a Restore Point?

System Restore XP > See Section Create a Restore Point

 

There is no point to trying to actually perform a System Restore until there is need to do so -- you might perform a System Restore when something goes wrong and you need to "back track" to a time and date before the "something wrong" happened.

 

I am not familiar enough with XP to instruct you other than what the document provides.

 

If you cannot create a Restore Point, check for help on the 'net or skip this step. 

 

Creating a Restore Point is supposed to help create a "line in the sand" to which you can return if you have issues with installations, software, whatever.  The procedure is NOT mandatory.

 

Fancy_Lines_4.jpg

 

Computer:

HP Probook 6550b Notebook PC

 

One version of XP will provide Drivers for your notebook.

Select Windows Version: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

 

Whether or not the provided drivers are usuable by your computer is not something I can answer -- it depends on which version of XP is installed and probably whether the OS is 32bit or 64bit.

 

IDT High-Definition (HD) Audio Driver

 

Fancy_Lines_4.jpg

 

Perhaps another Expert who is more comfortable with XP can help.

 

Good Luck!

 

When you see a Post that helps you,

Inspires you, provides fresh insight,

Or teaches you something new,

Click the "Thumbs Up" on that Post.

 

Fixed / Answered? Click that post Accept as Solution to help others find Answers.

 

Dragon-Fur

HP Recommended

Dear DragonFur
WELL... that was INTERESTING..... 
Windows 7, the link you gave was PERFECT
Back to where I was... 
and it would appear that after all that drama... 
the reinstallation was useless to turn on the laptop's speakers (you have any ideas for that?)
anyhow ... thank you thank you thank you n God bless you for all your help 🙂
Vlad

PS.. yeah, the restore failure was probably due to the lost driver, (not going to wake that sleeping dog now)
PPs.. I've always backed up alot of stuff like personal files and links to repair a crash, but never backed up drivers

how would I do that?

HP Recommended

@Vlad888

 

The Audio driver should work -- assuming it is the right driver for the version of XP installed on your computer AND assuming there is not something else going on. 

 

I am sorry I could not help.

 

 

A driver installation package is just like anything else on the computer, the only difference being the content of the file.

 

If you download each of the Drivers for your Operating System you can then copy the files to a USB stick (USB drive) for safe keeping.

 

Help:

Working with USB Sticks in Windows XP

 

When you see a Post that helps you,

Inspires you, provides fresh insight,

Or teaches you something new,

Click the "Thumbs Up" on that Post.

 

Fixed / Answered? Click that post Accept as Solution to help others find Answers.

 

 

Dragon-Fur

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.