Find out the model of your sound card. What can be done if there is no "sound"? DirectX to help us

To replace outdated components and / or update drivers, as well as to install some programs, it is important to know your current sound card. There are several ways to get things done.

Sound card in the computer

You can find out the exact model of your sound card using both third-party software and functions that are already in Windows by default. In this article, we will consider using what methods to view the current sound card in the computer.

Option 1: "Device Manager"

"Device Manager" Is a system program that allows you to familiarize yourself with the components installed inside the computer, such as a sound card, video card, etc. The instruction in this case will look like this:

Option 2: AIDA64

AIDA64 is a powerful paid program for viewing detailed computer specifications and performing various tests. The software has a fairly simple, but functional interface, translated into Russian. The instructions for using AIDA64 to view the sound card inside the computer are as follows:

Option 3: DirectX Diagnostic Tool

This is another system utility designed to view information about a computer. Instructions for using it look like this:

Using these methods, you can find out which sound card is on your computer. Additionally, using the described methods, you can find out the name of other elements of the computer, for example, the motherboard.

Sound cards in modern computers and laptops, like any other installed "hardware" equipment, will not work without the presence of special control software in the system, called a driver. Apparently, absolutely all users know about this. However, sometimes drivers need to be installed independently, updated or reinstalled (for example, if the device does not function). But how do you determine which drivers are needed for your sound card? In principle, on stationary PCs, it is enough to look at the equipment labeling by removing the side cover from the system unit. But what if the chip is integrated or access to it is impossible for purely technical reasons, as can be seen in the situation with laptops? Let's try to consider a few simple methods that will help solve this problem.

How to Find Out Which Sound Driver I Need: The Easiest Way

Initially, we will proceed from the fact that it is not possible to see the name of the sound card model. To view all the equipment installed on a computer or laptop in Windows systems, there is a so-called "Device Manager", which can be called, for example, from the computer control section, "Control Panel" or the program launch console with the combination devmgmt.msc.

How do I know which sound driver I need? To do this, it is enough to open the appropriate section with sound, game and video devices, and then first determine the name of the sound card itself (its brand and manufacturer). After that, you can simply visit the website of the manufacturer or developer of the corresponding software and search for the required driver by model name. Usually, such software is laid out in the public domain. After that, the driver should be downloaded and installed by yourself. But using this option is not always possible, because for built-in (integrated) soundcards, the manufacturer's name is usually not indicated in Device Manager, and the card is shown as a device with High Definition Audio support.

How to determine which sound driver is needed for an integrated soundcard?

First, let's consider the option of finding a driver for a soundcard on a laptop. In this case, the best solution would be to visit the website of the laptop manufacturer and view complete information on the model of your laptop. The equipment may indicate the marking of the card, and among the software available for download, the necessary, moreover, the latest drivers may also be presented. All that remains is to download the required installer, focusing on the type and bitness of the installed operating system, and then run it to install the drivers.

Some manufacturers offer users to test laptops online. In this case, the matter is simplified, since the update or installation of the necessary drivers can be carried out fully automatically, and you do not have to find out which drivers are needed.

But let's see how to find out which sound driver I need if automatic installation is not provided even on the manufacturer's website. In this case, if we are talking specifically about the driver of the integrated card, you can use DirectX tools (the dialog is called from the Run console of the dxdiag command).

On the sound tab on the left, you will see brief information on the device itself, and on the left - on the driver (most often this is a Microsoft driver file that is installed by the operating system itself). If you need a different driver, follow on.

Finding the software that best matches your device

Now let's see how to understand which sound driver is needed for installation, focusing on its absolute and most complete compliance with the soundcard model.

In this case, we again need the "Device Manager", in which we need to go to the properties of the card through the RMB menu, and on the information tab, select the equipment ID from the drop-down list. The list may contain several lines containing the values \u200b\u200bVEN and DEV, but you need to copy the longest one, and then it is on it to set the search for the required control software on the Internet, using special resources with driver databases or other sites where such software can be uploaded for free download.

Use of automated programs

Finally, let's take a look at how to find out which sound driver I need (or do I need at all) when it comes to using automated programs. They can be conditionally divided into two main classes: applications with their own databases (DriverPack Solution) and online applets (Driver Booster). Such programs are good because the user does not need to find out what exactly needs to be installed, but just trust the program, which will automatically scan all devices on the computer and install the missing or updated drivers on its own.

Special drivers for working with sound

It remains to add that when using some sequencer software or virtual sound studios, it may sometimes be necessary to install additional drivers.

In particular, this applies to the set of ASIO drivers. If we are talking about using plug-in MIDI keyboards and synthesizers, it may be necessary to install the appropriate MIDI driver or virtual sound device (usually, when installing the main software, all drivers are integrated into the system automatically, but only after the user checks the box in the installer itself. their settings).

A modern computer cannot be imagined without a sound card. Although this device does not participate in the mathematical calculations performed by the central processor, it is nevertheless installed in any computer technology that assumes interactivity and multimedia. This is the reason that recently the question of how to find out your sound card has become of interest not only to computer gurus, but also to ordinary users.

In addition, the type of adapter installed) directly affects the sound quality: it is useless to connect an expensive card to a budget card, because the sound will still be very mediocre. Obviously, every computer owner who appreciates good sound should know how to define his own. This will help to choose the most suitable model in terms of characteristics.

There are several ways to find out your own. They are all effective and mutually complementary. The best solution seems to be to use the most accessible.

The easiest way to find out your sound card is to check its full name with a consultant at the time of buying a computer. Moreover, it is advisable to write down the answer, because unfamiliar technical terms are quickly forgotten.

But, usually, the need to deal with the question of how to recognize your sound card does not arise immediately. In this case, you should familiarize yourself with the warranty sheet: sometimes it lists components. The fact is that some stores when selling a computer provide a single guarantee for the entire system unit, while others - for each device (since they have a different one). And if the audio adapter is indicated in the list, then the issue can be considered resolved.

The most radical way is to open the case and inspect the sound card "live". The disadvantages of this approach are undoubtedly many, but there is one advantage, which often outweighs all of them. This is 100% accuracy of determination, which neither software nor any other method can boast of. Of course, if the user does not know what to look for and what the sound card looks like (especially in the case of AC97 or HDA codecs), then you can forget about this method. Let's give a little hint: the wire from the speakers (amplifier) \u200b\u200bis connected to the outputs of the audio adapter. The card can be a separate component inserted into the computer bus connector. In this case, you need to carefully examine it: the PCB must have a sticker with the name. For example, Audigy 4. If we are talking about a codec chip, which has recently become a very popular solution, then you will have to turn to a specialist for help.

But let's leave such extreme measures for now, because there is a programmatic way of how to find out your Windows 7 sound card, because it is this system that is installed by the majority. The easiest way to use the tools of the operating system. To do this, right-click the properties of the icon that is next to the clock with Follow to "Playback devices" and select "Properties" from "Speakers". On the "General" tab there is a "Controller" window, where the name of the audio adapter is indicated.

Sometimes there is a speaker icon in the taskbar. By clicking on it, we get into the driver settings. One of the tabs is device information.

One of the equally convenient ways is to use special programs: AIDA64 or SiSoft Sandra. In AIDA, you need to go to "Multimedia" and select "Audio PCI / PnP". All audio devices will be displayed and, importantly, their exact type (code). The fact is that sometimes cards with the same name have different characteristics. To distinguish between and serves as a code designation.

And finally, you can open the instructions for the computer motherboard and read about the installed audio adapter (suitable for embedded solutions).

Experts can determine the type of card by the hardware code "Run - dxdiag - Sound".

Today it is impossible to imagine a computer that would not reproduce sound. In the same way as in a situation with a power outage, sometimes there is a loss of sound on the computer. The user immediately thinks about what happened and tries to find out the solution to the problem from friends.

Usually, in such cases, advice is given - to reinstall the drivers for the sound card. If the speakers do not produce any sounds at all (or they give out, but just some wheezing with a rattle) - the point is definitely in the drivers: either they are simply not installed, or as a result of something they are damaged.

All models of sound cards have their own drivers, but what if the manufacturer and brand are not known? You need to somehow find out which sound card is on your computer.

Fast navigation through the article

device Manager

Click the "Start" button in the lower left corner of the screen.
Hover over My Computer and right-click. In the menu that appears, select "Properties".
You got to "System Properties". Click the Hardware tab, then select Device Manager.
A rather large list of various devices will appear - all these are components of your computer, you need the item "Sound, video and game devices". The top line will be the name of your sound card.

In case you need more accurate information, you can right-click on your sound device:

Select the item "Properties", then the tab "Details" and find the item "Property" (with a drop-down list, in which select "Equipment ID").
In the properties window, you will see a list with different values. Move the cursor to the lowest value and press the right mouse button.
Select "Copy".
On the Internet, open a search engine, Google or Yandex, and paste the copied value.
Then follow the links, you will find the required driver by clicking on several links (and if you are lucky, then on the very first one).

Other options

Good to know

Considering that the systems of the Windows family are very similar, the methods described above are perfect not only for XP, but also for Windows 7.

Once you know your card model, you can find the drivers you need. To do this, write its model in a search engine and search for the results you need by clicking on the links. When you find what you need, download and install them. After that, restart your computer. The sound should now work again.

User question

Hello.

Perhaps my question will seem absurd, and yet, tell me how to find out if I have a sound card? I connected the speakers to the computer, but there is no sound at all.

I have three different outputs on the back of the system unit: red, green and blue. I tried to connect the speakers to everything, but the sound did not appear. What can be done?

Good day.

In this article I will consider several ways how you can determine the model of the installed audio card (if, of course, there is one ☺) ...

Is there an audio card on the computer

To determine the presence of an audio card, just look at the outputs on the back of the computer. In the overwhelming majority of cases (this is the standard), audio outputs are marked with three colors, see fig. 1 (which you named):

pink - serves to connect a microphone;
blue - it is necessary to connect a sound playback device, say, some kind of player;
green - for connecting headphones and speakers.

If they are, then the sound card is installed and below we will consider the issue of determining its exact model (the information is very necessary to find and install drivers, without which there is no sound on the PC and will not be ...).

By the way, as far as laptops are concerned, here the outputs are often not marked with different colors, but a small thematic picture is drawn opposite each one (see Fig. 2 - the outputs for the microphone and headphones are shown there).

Figure: 2. Connectors for connecting a microphone and headphones (it means there is a sound card in the laptop)

Method number 1 - through the device manager

The device manager displays all installed and connected to the computer / laptop hardware (including a sound card, video card, TV tuners, etc.).

To open the device manager:

hold down the simultaneous buttons Win + R (the "Run" window should open);
enter command devmgmt.msc (without quotes, periods, etc., see Fig. 4);
press Enter.

Figure: 4. Open the device manager // devmgmt.msc

Next, you need to open the tab - the name of your sound card will be displayed in it. An example is shown in Fig. 5 - sound card on PC "Conexant SmartAudio HD".

Note! The exact model of the sound card is not specified. integrated card. If there was a discrete card on the PC, the dispatcher would show its exact model.

By the way, you can find a driver for an audio card (and, by the way, to clarify its model) using the ID-equipment (each piece of hardware has its own). To do this, you need to open properties required equipment (see fig. 6).

Then this line needs to be copied to a search engine: Google, Yandex, etc. In the search results you can find both the model of your device and the driver for it.

ADDITION

In the device manager in the tab "Sound, game and video devices" may not be your sound card. In this case, try opening the tab "Other devices" - it contains devices for which no drivers are installed in the system (they are marked with yellow exclamation marks, see Fig. 8).

If your device is in this tab, you need to find and install a driver for it. One of the easiest ways to find and update drivers is to use dedicated auto-update and installation utilities. I talked about such utilities in this article:

Method number 2 - through special utilities

Now there are quite a few programs for viewing the characteristics of hardware connected to a PC / laptop. And, by the way, using such utilities, you can save your time: they will quickly and easily show you all the characteristics of your equipment, tell you where to find drivers for it, etc. I give a link to such utilities below.

The best utilities for viewing the characteristics of your computer (description and links to official download sites):

One of the most famous and convenient (in my opinion) is AIDA64 (it used to be Everest). After starting AIDA64, you need to open the tab " Multimedia / HD Audio " ... Next, you will see the name of your audio card (Conexant CX20751 / 2 - see example in fig. 9) and its properties.

By the way, the AIDA64 utility is not free, so if it doesn't suit you, you can use other analogs.

For example, in the ASTRA32 utility, just open the tab "General information" - and in the subsection "Sound" you will find information about the manufacturer of your sound card and its model (see Fig. 10).

Figure: 10. ASTRA 32 - information about the sound device on the laptop

What can be done if there is no "sound"?

If it so happened that you did not have a sound card on your computer, or it burned out (for example, due to a sharp surge in electricity, a lightning strike, etc.), but there is no money to purchase and install an internal card, I can suggest thinking about buying and connecting external small uSB sound card .

It costs cheap ($ 1-2, if you buy in a Chinese store, for example, in AliExpress), it does not take up much space, it can be connected to both laptops and personal PCs. And most importantly, the connection and setup is the simplest - even a completely novice user can handle it (which cannot be said about connecting an internal audio card).

If you have a modern version of Windows (note: Windows 7/8/10), then after inserting the card into the USB port, the system will automatically install the driver and the card will work. You just have to enjoy the sound that appears!

Its advantages:

sufficiently high-quality sound (even a cheap card provides quite acceptable quality);
compact size, comparable to a regular flash drive;
can be connected to almost any device with a USB port;
you can connect a microphone and headphones;
very cheap (won't upset, even if it doesn't live up to expectations ☺).

In general, in my opinion, it is an excellent temporary option (and maybe permanent), which will not take much time and money. I recommend giving it a try.

Well, that's all, good luck everyone!

PS add-ons on the topic are always welcome ...