HELP! Desktop is odd...not in safe mode..mouse driver?

I am still on my computer ...using keyboard keys.
Unfortunately I do not have a Windows Installation disk.
I could possibly borrow windows 98Se from my brother-in-law.
I have a disk my repairman gave me...not sure what it is exactly for.
On it is written 'Gigabyte Motherboard GA-WMMC7'.
Colour is still strange and cannot play cd on Windows Media Player.'Windows Media Player cannot find the specified file etc.' is the message still.
Is it possible to download a driver for the mouse?
I do not get uninstall for the mouse but I get remove.
Have not done that.
Back soon
Mandy

Please "Remove" the mouse from Device Manager, then restart the computer with the PS2 mouse plugged in. The "Gigabyte Motherboard" is probably the motherboard drivers, but it's hard to tell without actually looking at.

Just a thought here...have you tried running the Windows 98 equivalent of System Restore which is "scanreg /restore"? If not, then please do the following:

1. Restart the system in MS-DOS mode.
If the system does not automatically start in MS-DOS mode when attempting to boot into Windows 98, hold down Ctrl key during system startup until the Startup Menu displays, and choose "Safe Mode Command Prompt Only" from the Startup Menu.

2. At the C: prompt, type scanreg /restore and press Enter. You do not have to be in the C:\Windows\Command folder to run the command.

3. Choose which backup to restore. You should have a choice of registry backups from the last five days the system successfully booted. You can also restore other backups from either the hard drive or floppy disk. The backups from the last five days will be in the format RB00x.*, where RB stands for Registry Backup, and x is the sequence number of the backup. RB000.cab is the most recent backup.
__________________

You've got a number of things which caused issues at the same time and your suggestion to reinstall Windows 98SE is a good one. If the above steps don't help with the problem, you'll probably want to try the repair install of Windows 98. It installs "over the top" of itself and "should" allow you to reinstall Windows without damaging your personal documents. There are no guarantees here, so hopefully you have backups of those documents. In the end, you may need to completely reformat the hard drive and reinstall everything.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I have gone into safe mode and done what you suggested with the mouse.When I rebooted Windows said it found a new device,installed it and booted.Getting into desktop and my mouse is still missing!Yet it worked fine in the safe mode.
As far as scanreg/restore...well the computer tells me there is no file.In safe mode I had to go to 'run' to do this...no C:.
So I looked for it in find files and folders...no luck.I also searched this way for the missing driver-by the way it is called 'VMM32.VXD(vmouse.vxd).
I located this in drivers.com and downloaded it....but it is sitting on my desktop as I cannot put it in a folder.I thought the correct path is C:WINDOWS/System/.
In my explore there is nothing but an empty folder for VMM32 and also drivers...But if you look in WINDOWS/System/win98 there is nothing but endless drivers and others.
I have the windows 98Se installation disk from my brother-in-law.Although it is not my system,I haven't even put it in the CD drive as I do not think it will work as I cannot get anything read in there(my E drive)
The computer will not acknowledge it...I have no idea why.And yes the colour is still odd.And the big ads often flicker.Recently the repairman fixed this computer and updated all drivers-I think it is covered by warranty for 3 months....but cannot afford extra cost at the moment if it is not covered.
I have been so frustrated with this thing...all day trying to get around the keyboard and locate the driver...to no avail...now I am working with a small window on my desktop....
Sorry to grumble ...
Any more ideas?
Mandy

Windows Cannot Load the File [vmouse.vxd]'' Mouse Error Message
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316544

Hope this helps.

Grif

Thanks heaps Grif you are a genius!!!!!
I found this yesterday but using the keyboard I did not save - I did not work out how-and because I did not save-of course the "garbage" was still there.
But since then have figured out the keyboard more and read the instructions fully!
Now unfortunately still have some problems...
A:Just tried to install google toolbar....for some strange reason it had dissappeared a couple of days ago during mouse trouble, and tells me in the address it is done.But it is not there.
B:Windows Media Player is drive E and even though it dissappeared during mouse trouble it is in my computer again.BUT putting the cd in to play the player comes up and then tell me Windows cannot find the specified path.In the little window that shows the path in the top right of the player it shows audio cd, when I drop down the box I see audio cd (E:)and it will not let me put that in the little window.It does start in autoplay until this message comes up.
C:Also during this time my display settings will not
change from 640 x 480 pixels / 16 colours to 256 colour /800x600 pixels...even though I click apply.Although I have just altered it again to try and will reboot as soon as I post this message.
Unsure if anything else ? is wrong (I'm hoping not).
My fingers are crossed!
Thanks tons so far
Mandy

First, I suggest that you refrain from installing any extra stuff until you get the major issues fixed. Forget about the Google toolbar for now.

Second, Although Windows Media Player may not "autoplay" correctly, can you make WMP play the music by opening "My Computer", then double click on the "E" drive? Or possibly "explore" the "E" drive, then double click on one of the files inside? If it works, then we just need to fix the autoplay issue..Let us know if it works at all.

Third, It appears like the video driver needs to be reinstalled to fix your "colors" issue. To determine the video driver needed, RIGHT click on "My Computer", choose "Properties", then click on the "Device Manager" tab. When that opens, click on the + sign next to "Display Adapters" and a specific device will listed. Click on the device, then click on the "Properties" button toward the bottom of the window. When that loads, click on the "Driver" tab, then write down the "Driver manufacturer/provider", the "Driver date" and the "Driver version". Now visit the website of the driver manufacturer/provider and download, then install the appropriate driver for your video card.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Windows Media Player actually does start autorun...I can hear it...the track numbers are in the players window,then windows media player cannot find the correct path.When I open my computer it shows when a disk is in there because the icon has a music disk icon.If I click the icon the player again comes up and track numbers are listed....again cannot be found...check correct path.I think something is wrong with e drive (cdrom) maybe it isn't being acknowledged it is there...or something?!

Next I have found intel site for driver and got the details...but my Belarc adviser,system information, device manager and system file checker all show no problems....should I still download the new install.I also read that the driver must be exactly the same and this driver (Intel (R) 82810-DC100 graphic controller, date 4-222-1999, file version 4.13.01.3004)has no support from intel anymore and is archived from what I understand after navigating this site.Is it still safe to download this.Scary in case I mess up...
Thanks
Mandy

I realise I do not have any sound at all and haven't done at least a couple of ...did not pay any attention to this.
But just looked into controlpanel/sounds and find under sound name: none-and it is greyed out.
Looked at Intel Graphics Technology and a message on the screen tells me:The driver for this control panel Applet is not currently running or it is not available.
Also looked in Multimedia:Devices properties::Vortex AU8810 Wave Audio - Status driver is inactive but enabled due to an unknown problem.(I have 2 of the exactly the same listed).....Vortex AU8810 Wavetable MIDI - same message as above (again 2 of these).....
Vortex AU8810 Audio Mixer - same message and again 2 of them....and Vortex AU8810 Auxilary Audio only one of but same message.
In multimedia I also looked at AUDIO and found: Playback Preferred-No Playback devices and it is greyed out.....Recording - No Recording Devices and greyed out also.
Does this mean it is for sure the driver?
Thanks
Mandy

...as well. That's why you have not sound and everything isn't working. It may also fix the Windows Media Player issue.

YES, you'll need to install the newest Intel driver for the video card. Despite Belarc, the video card definitely isn't working right. The driver DOES NOT have to be exactly the same but you DO need to verify the one you're downloading is supported on Windows 98. At the Intel site, this appears to be the most recent driver for you Windows 98 82810 chipset video card. You should be able to use the "English" download.:

Intel 82810 Graphics Controller-Graphics Driver [WIN9XE67.EXE, WIN9XM67.EXE]

Hope this helps.

Grif

Upon rebooting even though the graphics driver I checked seemed to be fine I had difficulty in my home page freezing several times...I had to reboot several times until I finally was able to get on the net.
I recieved a popup first of all before the desktop came up -at my password bit-telling me this is an illegal thing (Igfxtray was written in the top of it)...it also happened on my desktop and also a couple of times when the homepage froze during loading.I eventually got on the net by clicking an application for it to go to it's homepage.
No sound still and I looked in device manager and checked drivers....Everything appears fine although in -Vortex AU8810 PCI Audio in the driver details there are 22 files(?) and 2: AU10DOS.COM + AU10GM.ARL appear to be the only ones that say 'unknown' when I click each one.Otherwise I am not sure...
Thanks so far Grif,
You are a patient man,
And I'm trying to be (not a man )
I just wish I understood why all these various things have happened as I touched nothing out of the ordinary and recently the repairman updated all drivers-or so he charged me for it, but in a place like I live with a population 13.000 ,word can get around quick if you're not reliable, and he supposedly is.
That's Life I guess...
Mandy

Download and install the newest audio drivers for your operating system. I'm not sure that Aureal is still in operation to support the old Vortex sound cards. Still, you should be able to find an appropriate driver by searching for: "Vortex AU8810 PCI Audio"

Why did this happen? Who knows, except that you have an older machine that may be getting to the end of it's usable life..And the simplest answer is: "Because it's a computer and who knows what they will decide to do at any given moment." Be sure to keep good backups of your important documents.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I am sure I downloaded exactly the right driver, it put itself into C:Temp and unzipped itself.I then rebooted and went into safe mode...computer said I did not shut down properly so I checked device manager anyway and rebooted...but still no sound and desktop brought up an error ( in the toolbar was Hkcmd).
I went through windows update to get on the net again.
How do I check what I have done ...and undo presumably?
Sorry Grif....I thought I would be fixed,
Mandy

..in order to install the audio driver. There should be no need to go to Safe Mode. I'm assuming the unzipped audio driver files are still in the "Temp" folder. So...RIGHT click on "My Computer", choose "Properties", then click on the + sign next to "Sound, Video, and Game Controllers". Find you specific audio card, then highlight it and click on the 'Properties" button. When that loads, click on the "Driver" tab, and then click on the "Update" button. When that loads, you'll need to follow the prompts to "Search for a driver file better than now" and the "Specify a Location" and "Browse" to the Temp folder and maybe the driver subfolder where you should find a file with a .inf file extension. That will be the file which should install the new drivers. After installing the new driver, you'll want to restart the computer.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I tried what you said and it has not worked....but looked closely at everythin in Start/Explore and all the details of what happens when trying to 'update driver'.Maybe this will help for a solution.
Found in Start/Explore several 'copies' of the driver in various paths, Vortex AU8810 PCI Audio; Aureal Semiconductor.These paths are:
C:GA-6WMMC7/Audio/WIN9x/AUREAL_WIN9x_405
/Chipset/INTEL INF/INF UPDATE
/Video/WIN9x/driver_vga_intel_81x_9xme/Graphics/support
win9x
C:Temp...(Aureal files are in here)
C:Unzipped/Temp (and here)
C:Unzipped/wavs/Vmm32...(according to properties 5 files in here, cannot see any icons)
C:Win 98...(Aureal files here plus a large number of drivers, win98 and various)
C:Windows/System/Drivers...(0mb info in here - empty folder)
C:Windows/System/Vmm32...(properties say 5 files here also cannot see icons)
C:Windows/System32/drivers...(inside drivers are 2 items,Gm.dls + Gmreadme)

I also on my desktop have a folder that I label 'downloads' and in here is 'Aureal-8810-v312'
I am sure this is the one I want and cannot get the path when trying to update driver with the wizard.

Now, going into device manager - highlight (Aureal)Vortex AU8810 PCI Audio- properties Aureal Semiconductor:3-25-2002
No driver files are required or loaded for this device..etc.And if you look at the bottom neither of the 2 boxes are ticked (disable or exists)

Looking at driver details when I update the option I have for select other driver is :
Vortex AU8810 PCI AUDIO
4-22-1999
Aureal Semi....
C:\WINDOWS\INF\AU10MMEN.INF (trying to find this path in explore and it is not there).

I did not know what path to put in but tried them all and wizard tells me the driver is the right one that I have so I select the path and wizard tells me location of driver is:C:Windows\Inf\Other\Aureal~2.INF.

Again there is no path in explore windows\Inf.

I looked up start/find files and folders and typed in AU10MMEN.INF and find the only result is the path:
C:\GA-6WMMC7...On the find files and folders result I scrolled across and read 51KB and setup information.

Doing the same and only typing AU10MMEN I find 3 folders:
au10mmEN C:GA-6WMMC7/Audio/WIN9x/AUREAL_WIN9x_405
size 1KB security catalogue

au10mmEN C:GA-6WMMC7/Audio/WIN9x/AUREAL_WIN9x_405
size 51KB setup information

au10mmEN C:GA-6WMMC7/Audio/WIN9x/AUREAL_WIN9x_405
size 51KB BAK file

I think that is all for now.....I have given you everything I think I can and written it exactly as I read it ....I am hoping this will help.
Thanks again Grif
Mandy

"Order"

May I suggest a means of some order for when you download something from the Web:

a. First, create a folder somewhere on your harddrive/a partition labeled downloads.

Second, when you perform a download, have Explorer open, access the downloads folder by clicking it so that it is highlighted, click File, New Folder, and since the folder is already highlighted for naming, name that folder something which coincides with the item being downloaded. For instance, I have a folder under my "Downloads" folder labeled "Drivers" and subfolders off it labeled such things as Video, CDDrive, Fitness, USB and etc. Every single download is performed only in the downloads folder which after a while you will also learn that when installing, the files necessary for access when something pops on the screen, is located somewhere there. IMO, never use the Desktop for a download location regardless of instructions read.

b. (according to properties 5 files in here, cannot see any icons)

Start Windows Explorer, click the View, Options. Click the View tab, click Show hidden files and folders, and then click OK.

c. Now, going into device manager - highlight (Aureal)Vortex AU8810 PCI Audio- properties Aureal Semiconductor:3-25-2002
No driver files are required or loaded for this device..etc.And if you look at the bottom neither of the 2 boxes are ticked (disable or exists)

The why this is happening to you is explained in "How Windows Determines the Most Suitable Device Driver to Install During Setup (Q279112)." You need to arrange your downloads and supercede those already in affect.

For instance, when I access a driver for a video adapter card, you have several option of dealing with it. First is the Driver tab where you'll fond both two buttons labeled Driver File Details. . . and a button Update Driver. . .. After clicking the latter button you should simply click the Next > button for another context menu which has something to the effect:

Search for a better driver than the one your device is using now (Recommended)

Display a list of all drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want.

What I'm try to covey is that option #2 list those items which you'll generally see if you had progress through the Control Panel, Add New Hardware to add a new peripheral. The only difference from that stand point and where you are with this device driver is that a similar device has once been installed, and the context menu takes you directly to the type of device you're concerned with. If you going to change the driver that has once been installed you'll need to progress this way. After selecting the button mentioned in the latter above, you then click the Next > button that then list all kinds of drivers located on the system -- already. When the Update Device Driver Wizard (named in the top colored bar) is displayed and the drivers listed and where you can usually select what you want -- but you know it isn't there since you've just download it, use the button labeled Have Disk. After that, you have to provide the location of where the driver is found so that Windows can install it. As I've already mentioned, if all downloads are in one place, that place is easily found.

To help me understand here.....If there are files in several places how do I know which is the one that I need to 'point' the update wizard to? I am thinking there are files in too many places...isn't that gonna confuse the o.s..
Don't I need to delete some of these...and I don't understand why there are what appears to be the same files for the Aureal driver in more than one place.
Vmm32 is to do with the graphics too and this is also in more than one place- or at least the folder is.I thought the graphics were fixed - but I must have done something not quite right as I get this 'igfxtray error' on the screen as desktop is loading and realise this is to do with the Intel driver I have downloaded and installed.
And what do I do with the desktop Aureal?...as I think that is the one that I downloaded and is the one that ought to be accessed and loaded into the system.
Now I am getting more confused....I think I need to really look at your info to take it in.....I am certainly realising how much of a newbie I am!
I will go back to reread your message for now...
Thank you
Mandy

A. If there are files in several places how do I know which is the one that I need to 'point' the update wizard to? I am thinking there are files in too many places...isn't that gonna confuse the o.s.

Could I suppose. However, the one reference I gave in my original explains how Windows goes about selecting a driver for a particular device. But, even though P&P may select a driver, it does not mean it is the appropriate one in every case. If it were my system, I'd start by uninstalling and removing drivers from the area I'm working on and then ensure I have the driver I want in a specific place and start from there. If it didn't work as expected, I get another driver, and start all over again.

B. Don't I need to delete some of these...and I don't understand why there are what appears to be the same files for the Aureal driver in more than one place.

Can't answer the second part since I'd have to go through each segment of a downloaded driver package to ascertain if they contained exact names but contents were different.

C. Vmm32 is to do with the graphics too and this is also in more than one place- or at least the folder is.

Depends on whether we mean ''The file'' or folder. If a folder, it would depend on what is in that/those folders. For instance:

The real-mode boot loader Win.com loads the monolithic file VMM32.VXD into memory during boot and then loads other dynamic virtual device driver (VxDs) files contained in the Windows\System\Vmm32 folder. Please note that any of the files in that folder, to include the Vmm32.vxd file itself, may have become corrupted and cause system anomalies.

a. Drivers contained in this files is a long list located in the system registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD

b. Additional files loaded besides those in this list are any VXD files present in the ''C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32'' folder.

c. The VMM32 program switches the computer's processor from real-mode to protected-mode and is a three-phase VxD initialization process in which the drivers are loaded according to their InitDevice name instead of the order in which they are loaded into memory. VxD loads are carried out in the following sequence, outlined and described in ''Q127970'':

(1) SYS_CRITICAL_INIT (SYSCRITINIT):

Interrupts are disabled during this phase. This gives VxDs time to prepare for device initialization without being interrupted by the system. No file I/O is allowed during SYSCRITINIT, so all SYSCRITINITs are not written to a Bootlog.txt file until after SYSCRITINIT is complete for all VxDs.

(2) SYS_DEVICE_INIT (DEVICEINIT):

The bulk of the VxD initialization takes place during this phase. File I/O is allowed during DEVICEINIT so each VxD's DEVICEINIT is logged as it occurs. The one exception is during Ifsmgr's DEVICEINIT. Ifsmgr takes over the real-mode file system and disk I/O is not allowed until Ifsmgr's DEVICEINIT succeeds. For this reason, Ifsmgr does not appear in the DEVICEINIT phase.

When a DevLoader VxD is called, it loads other drivers it is responsible for regardless of their InitDevice order. The DevLoader examines the Registry and finds drivers (for example, port drivers or .mpd files) and any associated support drivers and then initializes the device associated with them. During this phase if a VxD failed to initialize, or it was unable to properly communicate with a hardware device or service it, an error is renders and is typically due to incorrect hardware settings or a service was not present.

Remaining static VxDs continue the initialization phase and certain dynamic VxDs may also begin during this phase even though they do not have a SYSCRITINIT phase. In addition, dynamic VxDs may load anytime after Windows starts.

(3) SYS_INIT_COMPLETE (INITCOMPLETE):

VxDs that successfully pass the InitComplete phase should work properly. A VxD reflected in one of the previous phases which was not successfully initialized, is unloaded from memory.

(4) GUI Components:

After all static VxDs are loaded, the Krnl32.dll, Gdi.exe, User.exe, and Explorer.exe (the default Windows shell) files are loaded.

d. The WIN32.VXD file is a monolithic file (a file which can be extracted using System File Checker tool and then by reinstalling Windows so that the file is correctly rebuilt). However, this does not mean that some errant x.VXD somewhere else isn't the major culprit and is the cause of a system problem which did not get corrected through this process. I know that many users have never been able to figure this out -- including me for sometime, and was left with the option of wiping the entire system and starting from scratch. An in-depth discussion concerning the monolithic file Win32.VXD file, please read through the TechNet article ''Setup Technical Discussion - Chapter Five''.

e. Supplemental reading:

(1) ''Invalid VxD Dynamic Link Call from... (Q137335).''

(2) ''Windows 95/98 Boots Directly to ''Shut Down'' Screen (Q14189.''

(3) ''Initializing Device IOS Windows Protection Error (Q263466).''

(4) ''Error Message: While Initializing Device IOS an I/O Subsystem Driver Failed to Load... (Q31110.''

D. I thought the graphics were fixed - but I must have done something not quite right as I get this 'igfxtray error' on the screen as desktop is loading and realise this is to do with the Intel driver I have downloaded and installed.

Using a ''Google Group'' search on your reported error there are many items covered but generally indicates the error comes about by subsequently installing a driver version older than the last. I believe you'll also find instructions at the Intel site for resolution or if not an Intel driver, the site you've been dealing with. Maybe they offer ''Tech'' support too

E. And what do I do with the desktop Aureal?...as I think that is the one that I downloaded and is the one that ought to be accessed and loaded into the system.

I assume you mean a download copy to a folder on the desktop. If so, there isn't any reason the content of that folder be placed in a folder created for such as I explained earlier for downloads -- then delete the desktop folder which would then be empty. Then use the basic steps I outlined earlier Display a list of all drivers in a specific location. . .

F. I am certainly realising how much of a newbie I am!

Everybody was there at one time and bought the ''T-Shirt'' too.

Good luck.

you spend a bit of time answering in such detail...thank you heaps.
Trouble is it takes me a million times longer to try to get all the technical terms to stay in my head...BUT I am working on it...including your other marathon post....do you work in a library? LOL
Mandy

The folder Windows\INF or Windows\other I just cannot locate it at all.
Although the driver I downloaded is on my desktop in the folder I named downloads. It is named Aureal-8810-v312 and its path is C:WINDOWS\desktop\downloads.
When I try to update first of all the wizard tells me the file is located in C:windows\inf\other\Aureal~2.inf and I also get the same message when the wizard searches in the display a list of drivers too.It tells me the file a3d.dll cannot be found.Then I am told error code 137.
When I click on properties in my desktop\downloads Aureal-8810-v31, it tells me MSDOS name is AUREAL~1.EXE.
The list of available drivers I have are:Vortex AU8810 PCI Audio(Semi Conductor) 3-25-2002 + Vortex AU8810 PCI Audio (Semi Conductor) 4-22-1999.
I am at a loss to figure out this puzzle...hopefully it can be solved soon...
In the Add/Remove program I do have listed Aureal Vortex AU8810 - that has not been there before - probably from when I downloaded.
It is difficult to find this driver on the net....when I downloaded this one I remember somewhere on the screen telling me this is an older version to the one I already have.But the year 1999 seems to be on all the files in my system...well, the ones I looked at,and in the wizard it is 2002 so that must be the one I downloaded...in my line of thinking anyway.
And no there is definately still no sound of any kind...
So I have to figure this out....should get it eventually
Hope I made sense here
Mandy

start-settings-folder options, I check "classic style",allow upppercase names, show all files, uncheck "hide file extensions of known types".
Open Windows folder, see inf folder, inside is "other" folder.
Your EXE download is an installation file to install the packaged audio drivers. You actually have a bunch of other audio driver files in "inf", including Aureal, but they are loaded according to the "inf" file (not folder), Aureal~2.inf is the one the PC is telling you that is now used. The ~ (enya)takes the place of more letters so that the real name is longer and there is nothing wrong with it. If you open the Aureal~2.inf with notepad or wordpad, you'll see information lines that some should list youe audio card. The PC loads all the other audio files according to this information.
You can search for the file "3d.dll" and make sure it is in the System folder.
Run the Aureal-8810-v31.exe and it should install those drivers. The listing in add\remove cannot be there unless you already installed those drivers.
As long as you have that installation file (hopefully the right one) you can uninstall thru add\remove and reinstall.
To point the Wizard, you hit "ok" until you get a dialog box that will let you hit a "browse" button, then browse for what you want.

said and found the INF folder and 'other' etc.
Removed Aureal from add/remove program.
Went to desktop/downloads and clicked Aureal there to unzip.Went to add new hardware,and then update drivers in device manager although Aureal 8810 was not in there.So I rebooted and when desktop came up with only the background wizard located new hardware and installed correct Aureal 8810 with the correct drivers (Windows/Temp).Once installed and desktop done.I went to device manager and found Aureal with all the updated drivers and such...went through each one checking properties - everything looks great and correct...BUT still no sound ( also checked windows media player and put in cd...windows still cannot find the specified path and player will not let me put in Audio cd (E: ).
I am beginning to doubt if I will ever have sound now!
Bye for now
Mandy

Were you ever advised to boot up in Safe Mode, go into Device Manager and remove ALL instances of the audio drivers.

Safe Mode is the only way to see if the are duplicate or multiple instances of drivers. Unless you remove ALL of them, Windows will still continue to get it wrong.

When they are ALL removed,reboot and Windows should say new hardware found. This is where you must point it to the driver that you want to use.

A Yank that met two of the three criteria. Didn't meet the "over here". LOL

This sound driver is giving me so much grief...ggrrr.
I have done that already....but just went back and done it again anyway after reading your message.I went to device manager in safe mode and uninstalled.
I went and rebooted and wizard came up before icons on desktop and located and installed driver (if I open the downloaded driver in my desktop/downloads folder-it unzips itself into C:\unzipped\Temp folder.BUT there are files for the driver still in C:\Temp- and they look the same).The wizard goes to the C:Temp folder.Checking device manager and driver details it is the same version I downloaded anyway.
There are more details in the threads here.
Bye for now
Mandy

I did not notice this was missing-but it's not there?!
What does this mean...is it fixable simply?
No need to read any further in your post this moment!
Mandy

first page (first tab), "show volume control on the taskbar", put a check in this box (1 left click of mouse arrow).
If it then doesn't show, the sound card is not installed-initiated. Back to square one about drivers.
Even tho the device shows up in Device Manager, it doesn't mean all the drivers needed are loaded.
Your next posts seem to show that no resources are allocated for Aureal 810...?
With your copy of the installation file handy, remove all the sound devices in Device Manager-Sound, Video and Game Controllers EXCEPT "wav device for voice modem". Restart PC and see if it automatically loads the sound card.