Windows 7 audio or sound driver problem

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Level 1

19 points

Windows 7 audio or sound driver problem

I have installed Windows 7 using VirtualBox. There is no audio or sound available when running Windows 7. I went to Realtek.com to download latest sound driver, and attempted to install the Windows driver software twice with the same result.

The driver installation completes and Windows reboots with no problem. Windows still can't find the audio device. After hunting around in Windows for a while, I found the Device Manager, through which I tried to manually install the Realtek audio device. It shows up as an unknown device under the Sound, Video, and Gaming controllers. Then, when I attempt to install the driver software, I get the following 'error' message:

Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device.
Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while
attempting to install it.
The message displays a speaker and "Realtek High Definition Audio".
This device cannot start. (Code 10)

I have installed the 64 bit version of Windows 7, but the driver software says it is 32/64 bit, so that shouldn't be a problem? I have the Audio hardware set in Virtualbox as:

Host Drivewr: CoreAudio
Controller: ICH AC97

Other posts indicate similar problems with people using Boot Camp, so it doesn't appear to be specific to running a virtual machine. Are there proper procedures for installing Windows drivers? Are there other drivers known to work?

Any helpful ideas will be appreciated.

Mac Pro 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.6.1), 8 GB RAM

Posted on Nov 1, 2009 10:50 AM

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Answer 1

Bob Owen Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 1, 2009 4:59 PM in response to The hatter

I did use Device Manager to uninstall and reinstall the driver. I am using VirtualBox 3.0.10.

Device Manager indicates the Realtek High Definition Audio device is installed, but get the Windows error message, "This device cannot start. (Code 10)."

Message was edited by: Bob Owen

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Answer 2

Bob Owen Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 3, 2009 8:21 AM in response to Templeton Peck

I posted question on VirtualBox forum first. After reviewing Apple forums, I discovered similar problems with sound drivers, etc. that were being discussed by those using other VMs and BootCamp environments, thereby leading me to believe it was not an issue specifically related to VirtualBox.

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Answer 3

Bob Owen Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 3, 2009 8:27 AM in response to Bob Owen

Okay, I solved the problem. Turns out I was installing the wrong driver from the Realtek website.

The correct driver for VB in my installation is for the AC'97 audio controller.

It is located at:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsCheck.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=23&PFid=23 &Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#AC

I have sound now!

For more information, you can view my postings at the VB forum:

http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=23224

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Answer 4

Nov 10, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Bob Owen

will your solution work for me? I upgraded from XP using PC Mover. I did download AC97, but can't find it on my PC once I opened it. I do have a notebook file on my C drive, RHD setup. Any thoughts as to the steps I might take to get the same result you got?

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Answer 5

Bob Owen Author

Level 1

19 points

Nov 11, 2009 6:32 PM in response to kenb53@mac

I'm not really an expert in Windows.... I haven't used a Windows machine since 2001, and then I was using NT.

Check out the link to the VirtualBox messages to see more information.

When I downloaded the driver in Windows 7, the download file appeared in the download folder. Took some getting used to Windows explorer to find it.

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Answer 6

Nov 13, 2009 8:42 PM in response to Bob Owen

Like you, the problem was solved with the help of my 16 year old grandson. Even though Apple is not supporting Win7 on 2006 iMacs, it does work. To get sound, I inserted the Leopard CD and installed Boot Camp on the PC side. This updated all drivers including audio. Simple when you know how.

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Answer 7

disel

Level 1

0 points

Nov 16, 2009 8:38 PM in response to Bob Owen

Bob, I have the same problem I'm sure its because we opted to install the 64bit version, on a side note if you have a USB head set it works fine as W7 see's all the USB ports, I'll Waite for more support from apple before i play around too much. I did try to install the Vista drivers from the Snow Leopard disk but no luck, W7 said no thanks to that.

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Answer 8

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Nov 1, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Bob Owen

RealTek driver troubleshooting

Sometimes it works to use the non-installer and go through device manager.

Maybe try VB 3.10 posted Friday.

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Answer 9

Nov 2, 2009 7:01 AM in response to Bob Owen

I am using VirtualBox 3.0.10

You should then probably post your question on the VB forums: http://forums.virtualbox.org/

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