sound card drivers

[Podmark]

So a while back I was trying to update a sound driver. Something must have gone wrong and I now have no sound driver installed. I think there's some default Microsoft one in there and it's not working right.

So I need to hunt down the right drivers, but the there's one big problem - I don't know which ones I need.
I have a vague memory of the name Realtek but that's it.

Any help?

[GogglesPizanno]

Depends on the sound card you have.
If its made by Realtek (or if its embedded audio on the motherboard and the chip was supplied by realtek), then you should be able to get drivers from their website.

You should be able to look in the system control panel under hardware to see what manufacturer it is.

[thalaw2]

Try using Driver Detective or Driver Agent.  It should tell you exactly what you have installed.  Once you have the list you can go to the respective websites and get your drivers....unless you're running legacy hardware or something made in someone's garage. 

[Podmark]

Thanks guys, I've got the problem fixed I think.

[Podmark]

Hmm seems I've spoken too soon.
Earlier I went to the Acer website (makers of this computer) and found the sound driver on their site. That solved the immediate obvious problem (no sound in Max Payne).

However there are still issues. Among the problems is that no sound is coming out of the left speaker, and sound isn't present sometimes or is oddly quiet. There was no sound on the games menu of Homestar Runner, and a game had low sound when it usually didn't. Also midi music doesn't seem to run right but I believe that's a Vista issue.

I somewhat wonder if it might be the speakers, I might have to check that.