Resolving No Audio after Upgrading from XP to Vista or Downgrading from Vista to XP

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Support details

» No sound after changing from XP to Vista

» No sound after changing from Vista to XP

» Updating audio drivers

This document pertains to HP Notebook PCs with Windows Vista.

Not all HP notebook models are designed to operate with different operating systems. HP does not support the upgrading of older models from XP to Vista, nor does it recommend downgrading the operating system from Vista to XP. HP does not provide Vista drivers for older computers that are not certified by HP as Vista-capable.

Exceptions to upgrading to Vista are limited to a specific time period just prior to the Vista release. The computers that could be upgraded were tagged as Vista-capable and a list of these computers is available in the HP Notebook PCs - List of HP Certified Vista Capable Notebook PCs support document. View this document to determine if your notebook computer can be upgraded. If your computer is not on this list, you should not upgrade from XP to Vista.

I've already changed the OS, now what?

If you recently changed your operating system (for example, from XP to Vista) and are getting sound errors, get a full-version driver from the original sound device manufacturer and install it. For example, if you have a Realtek sound card, go to the Realtek web site to get the appropriate driver for your computer.

No sound after changing from XP to Vista

The drivers for recording and playing sounds are designed for specific operating systems.

If you change the operating system on an HP-certified, Vista-capable computer from XP to Vista, you must locate and install the current drivers for the Vista operating system. See HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Video: Changing from Windows Vista to XP for additional infromation.

No sound after changing from Vista to XP

When the operating system is downgraded from Vista to XP, the Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) sound drivers must be installed. After installing UAA sound drivers, an updated driver for the component must be installed. HP nor Windows Update support UAA drivers.

NOTE:

HP does not support the downgrading of HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario computers from Windows Vista to Windows XP. See the HP Notebook PCs - Issues with Downgrading HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario PCs to Windows XP and Restoring Windows Vista support document for more detailed information.

Updating audio drivers

Select one of the options below to locate the available audio drivers if you already changed the operating system and you are experiencing sound problems.

Go to the HP Drivers and Downloads page and search for updated drivers for your model. Be sure to select the correct operating system.
If the computer is upgraded to Vista, use HP Update to scan for updated drivers. To use HP Update, click Start , All Programs , HP , HP Update , and then follow the on-screen instructions.
If HP has not released specific audio drivers for your operating system, use the Microsoft Windows Update utility, or search the Microsoft web site for generic drivers for Vista. To use Windows Update, click Start , type update into the search field, select Windows Update from the list when it becomes available, click Check for updates , and then install any available updates.