JD: Windows 7, no sound, new sound cards won't install, no way to go back to XP

So, I have a PC with no sound now, and no way to get it.

Thanks, Windows.

 

Windows 7 with no sound: It was JD's idea.

 

Any suggestions out there? I'm frustrated.

 

The longer short version: I have a Dell Dimension 4400 I bought in 2002. It's been a really good buy. It came with XP. Before I moved my stuff into storage, I did a few things that corrupted part of XP. When I got my PC out of storage, it worked, but it took 30 minutes to boot up.

To try to speed that up, I installed Windows 7. Now it boots up quickly. But there's no sound.

Dell sold me a new sound card. It wouldn't install. It shut down Windows while installing. So Dell sent me another. Same thing. Now Dell says "it's your motherboard." How so? My computer had sound a week ago. It doesn't now, not with the old sound card (which wasn't compatible with Windows 7), and not with the new sound card.

Can't go back to XP. Windows won't let you. So I'm screwed. Or am I?

Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?

 

Did you address this thread to yourself?

 

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Download the install disk and go from there. There's no need to be comfortable in a linux environment either. I've installed it on two older computers and they run like champs now. Most everything you could possibly need is also included or is available for download.

 

Do you think it would let me install the new sound card that is crashing when I try to install it in Windows? If it doesn't, then I am at the same place I am now, with a new system I don't understand how to use. What's your confidence level about it letting me install the sound card with the sound card CD?

 

Buy a Mac.

 

Reset the bios?

 

That sounds tricky
Is it?

 

Does a computer that old even meet the system requirements for Windows 7? You may just have a box that can't run it successfully. You might check the support forum at MS of that's the case. Or call their support line.

 

The person who bought the version of Windows 7 for me said it would work, but I don't know how extensively she checked into that. Thing is, Windows 7 seems to work like a charm on this PC. It just won't recognize the sound card or let me install it.