Really annoying problem(s) uninstalling pci sound card, reverting to onboard sound

[DaRuSsIaMaN]

I'm using winXP Pro. I removed my PCI sound card (a SIIG SoundWave 7.1) from my computer. Then I wanted to uninstall all its drivers after I turned computer back on. For some reason, problems started. I could not find any reference to it in the Add/Remove programs in Control Panel. Also, the software from the soundcard (with equalizer and such) which always starts on boot-up did not start when I booted up after unplugging it. I went into its folder in Program Files, and tried running the uninstall thing there, but it came up with an error, something to the effect of that the shortcut could not find the target file...

So I just started trying to remove the sound card software manually. However, after enabling the onboard sound in BIOS, and installed the driver for the realtek sound chip, sound doesn't work. I have a yellow question mark in device manager, etc. I also still have a "CMI Audio Config" icon left over from the sound card in the control panel, which obviously should not be there if the uninstall was clean.

But anyway, I thought maybe I can just reinstall the sound card drivers and then try to do the uninstallation in the official way: that is, I would go into Add/Remove programs and uninstall it from there. So I tried re-installing sound card drivers. And I got nowhere. It gave error: "Please plug in bla bla pci."

So, here's what I don't understand:
1.) If I unplug a soundcard, does windows automatically try to uninstall the drivers? Is that why I did not see any reference to my sound card in Add/Remove programs? Is that why the software also did not start on boot, and I did not see the icon in the system tray like I always used to before?

2.)Can't you install/uninstall drivers in windows independently of whether the thing is plugged in or not?? I thought you could...

 

[BoBBYI986]

Really annoying problem(s) uninstalling pci sound card, reverting to onboard soun

Hi, when you go to add/remove programs your just removing the software for the sound card the drivers are kept elsewhere most likely in windows folder/ system 32/ drivers.
I take it once you enabled the onboard audio windows installed a generic driver (automatically) because it's realtek, windows has alot of generic drivers for realtek harware.

What is the error code in device manager for your pcie realtek audio device?

 

[Sniper]

Really annoying problem(s) uninstalling pci sound card, reverting to onboard soun

Hi

I don't think windows automatically removes the drivers but could be wrong there! not sure about the error code.

I think it depends on the company, sometimes removing via add/remove will also remove the drivers.

I'd suggest disabling all sounds devices and the removing the drivers if not done so already, followed by enabling the onboard sound.

Also I'm sure in the past I've always had to install realtek drivers manually.

consider using Phyxion.net | Driver Sweeper 2.1.0 released | Driver Sweeper | Driver Sweeper

 

[DaRuSsIaMaN]

Really annoying problem(s) uninstalling pci sound card, reverting to onboard soun

Well, alright so if it's only meant to remove software and not the drivers, how do I (manually) remove the drivers? I could try your link, Sniper, but I kind of mistrust those driver software things. You sure it's fine?

Also, once I enabled the onboard sound, I installed whatever I downloaded off the ASUS website. It was some zipped folder which had a install.exe in it. Maybe you're right about generic drivers, though, BoBBY. Maybe all that did was install a stupid media player rather than any actual drivers. Maybe (stupid) ASUS intended winxp to just use its generic drivers for the realtek chip rather than actually providing drivers??

The error code is 28. You can see in the attached screenshot.