Fix Problems with the Legacy Audio Driver

An audio driver is a kind of software that tells your computer’s sound card how to function, thus ensuring that the soundcard performs correctly in conjunction with the rest of your computer. If you use your computer as your main entertainment platform, it can be a real letdown when your audio driver gets corrupted or goes missing. Problems like this are common, especially with the Legacy Audio Driver for Windows. You will have no sound while surfing the Net, streaming videos, watching movies, or playing games. If you ever find yourself in this situation, here are some tips to help you out:

1. Check your sound card to see if it is working. Go to the Control Panel and click the “Sounds and Audio Devices” icon. Click the “Sounds” tab. Select a sound sample from the scroll box that appears, and test it by clicking the “Play” (small button with black arrow). If it plays, then the problem lies with the audio driver.

2. Use diagnostic programs to scan your system. Tools such as DriverAgent will examine all your drivers and determine exactly which file has the problem. It may also suggest possible solutions.

3. Go to your computer manufacturer’s official website. Download and install any updates for your sound driver.

4. Visit tech forums and ask about your problem. Audio driver malfunctions are a commonplace problem, so it is highly probable that someone has already encountered and subsequently resolved the same issue. Include your particular model of computer, sound card, and audio driver when searching for a solution.

5. Delete and reinstall the audio driver. Go to the Control Panel and click on “System”. Then, go to the “Hardware” tab, click “Device Manager”, and then “Sound and Video Controllers”. Delete the listed audio devices. Then, restart your computer and reinstall the removed drivers with the Driver and Application Recovery CDs that were packaged with your copy of Windows XP.

6. Replace your defective drivers with universal audio drivers. You can download these drivers online for free. AC ’97 sound drivers are a good choice for replacing your malfunctioning Legacy audio drivers.

7. Reformat your computer. If nothing else works, the problem might stem from a core error with the system itself or with your hardware. As a last resort, you can always reformat your entire drive, and then reinstall your operating system step-by-step. This is a drastic step that will erase everything on your drive, so back-up all your important data on CDs or external drives first. Then, go to “My Computer”, right-click on the drive you wish to repair, and click “Format” from the context menu. Then click “OK”. When it finishes, reinstall the system with your Windows CD and then follow the instructions to get software updates as necessary.

8. Take it to a computer repair shop. If there is absolutely nothing you can do to fix the problem, take your unit to a repair shop to get professional assistance.

As with many computer problems, the best solution is preventive maintenance. Make sure you keep all of your software updated, and regularly check your system for any bugs and malicious software with anti-virus programs. You should also ensure that your computer is operating in an optimal environment (clean, dust-free, and not too hot or cold) to prevent any hardware failures. Finally, consult with a professional or get an educated opinion before doing anything drastic with your system; otherwise, your solution might actually end up causing a bigger problem.