How to disable an onboard soundcard on a Copaq presario? 2

[Marjo]

Hi,

I have a new Zoltrix nightingale pro 6 sondcard that i want to install in my compaq presario 5670.

I do have an onboard ESS maestro 2 sondcard on the mobo and I have tried to disable the card (chip) via device manager
but my new card will not be detected during bootup Ihave tried to use "add new HW" with no luck. Its not detected.
I checked the new card and succeded installing it in another PC (obvius not a Compaq). I have checkt my bios but unfortunatly it is very limited possibilities for settings, nothing about audio or anything cant choose IRQ settings etc (thought about conflicts with my old and new card?).

Am I doing something wrong ? I hope someone can advice me what to do since Im lost.

Thanks in advance //
Marie

 

[gargouille]

I guess the only way to do this is through the right click My Computer/Properties/DeviceManager disable the ESS devices in this profile.

 

[leecarter]

There is usually a jumper on the motherbard that either enables or disables the soundcard. - consult the manual or sometimes Compaqs have jumper setings displayed on top of the HDD / CDROM bracket.

Also, it may be a seting in the BIOS. (Usually F2 or F10 on Compaq's) - try there, and look for "onboard devices" - or similar!

Lastly, some Compaq's I have seen don't have a BIOS entry key. There is a BIOS patch on their website that adds access to the BIOS easy. (Only some older machines)

 

[Marjo]

HI guys,

Thanks for your answers.

I do not have any jumpers for the onboard audio

The bios dosent have any settings for audio or onboard devices

So Im still stuck with the onboard ESS maestro 2 card

Marie

 

[gargouille]

Hi Marjo:
See you're about the upgrading we heard described the last time you were around here.
Have you tried what I suggested?
(I feel left out) LOL

 

[Wirdo]

What type of bios do you have, if you can find out? You should be able to disable it even with the generic bios.

 

[Marjo]

Hi,

gargouille - sorry if you feelt left out. not my intention
abt the suggestion do you mean the new motherboard?
If so - I didnt get a new mobo and the 128 G HDD works great now with the asus mobo. This question abt the onboard sound card is on computer no 2.

Wirdo - the bios I do have is the latest available at compaq. Doesnt allow any settings for sound card, audio etc.

I havent done anything to the soundcard issue since I got tired but I got an response from Compaq (after persistent mailing claiming they have to give me another answer than "contact the nearest Compaq Authorized Service Provider for support&quot

Havent tried it, but I share the answer at the bottom of this post.

Marie

Answer from Compaq "how to disable the onboard sound"

In order to install a new Audio card and make it work properly, you have to disable the onboard audio. To disable a factory-installed component, take the following steps:

1. Right-click My Computer and select Properties.

2. Click the Device Manager tab.

3. Scroll to the desired device category, i.e, under the Sound/video and games, and click "+" to expand the list.

4. Double-click the item.

5. At the bottom of the window, check the box labeled "Disable in this Hardware Profile," or clear the check from "Exists in All Hardware Profiles."

6. Click OK, then click OK again.

You need to check the following before installing the new sound card. These steps involve registry modifications. Hence, we suggest you make a backup of registry before going about it. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and select Run.
2. Type Regedit.
3. Click REGISTRY on the menu bar, click on Export Registry.
4. Give a destination file (say Regbackup) and save it on to the
Desktop.

Now to take the following steps:

1. Open Windows Explorer, and go to the "C:\Windows\Inf\Other"
directory. Delete any INF file relating to sound cards.

NOTE: There may be INF files for video cards or other peripherals.
Remove only the INF files relating to sound cards. (You should be able
to tell which ones are for the sound cards by their names.)

2. Go back one directory to the "C:\Windows\Inf" folder. In here, you
may have two files, one named drvdata.bin and the other named
drvidx.bin. If they exist, delete them. (When Windows tells you it's
creating a driver database for something, these are the two files it's
creating. They'll be recreated, but since you've removed all the sound card INF files in step C, the new database will not include the old cards.)
3. Click the Start button, select Run, and type regedit.
4. Click the "+" beside HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and then the "+" beside Software folder. Look for any references to sound cards.

NOTE: You're looking for folders named "ESS Maestro", etc. The folder names will vary depending on drivers and cards installed, but those pertaining to sound cards should be fairly obvious.

5. Delete the entire directory of any anything sound card related.
6. Turn the power off and insert the new sound card.

After all that, restart the computer. It will redetect your sound card.
Cancel the request for drivers, and then put in the CD that came with your sound card. It will load its drivers and tools and then want another restart. Upon the second restart, you should be good to go with a completely clean sound card install.

 

[gargouille]

tenjewberrymuch
LOL

 

[leecarter]

Any normal manufactuer puts a jumper on the board or setting in the BIOS!!!