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How to update a sound card driver in Windows Vista and in Windows XP

Article ID:166774
Last Review:December 11, 2007
Revision:3.1
This article was previously published under Q166774

INTRODUCTION

This article describes how to update a sound card driver in Windows Vista and in Windows XP.

Note This article is for informational use only. It has no troubleshooting information. If you are searching for troubleshooting information that is not mentioned in this article, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base again by using keywords that are listed in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
242450 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/242450/) How to query the Microsoft Knowledge Base by using keywords and query words

This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.

You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.

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Windows Vista

To update the sound card driver, follow these steps:
1.Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
2.Click Device Manager.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
3.Expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
4.Double-click the sound card, and then click the Driver tab.
5.Click Update Driver Software.
6.Follow the Update Driver Software Wizard to update the sound card driver.

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Windows XP

To update the sound card driver, follow these steps:
1.Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
2.Click the Hardware tab.
3.Expand Sound, video, and game controllers.
4.Double-click the sound card, and then click the Driver tab.
5.Click Update Driver.
6.Follow the Hardware Update Wizard to update the sound card driver.

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MORE INFORMATION

If you receive a message that the device is not working correctly, the sound card is not listed, or you must obtain driver software, contact your sound card manufacturer for more help. You may also have to contact the computer manufacturer if you find that the steps to update the sound card driver do not work. For information about how to contact your sound card or computer manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
65416 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/65416/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K

60781 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60781/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P

60782 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60782/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

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APPLIES TO
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, when used with:
  Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Starter
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition

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Keywords: 
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