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No Audio Output Device (Vista). Phoenix BIOS Hard Disk Self Test Solves Problem Temporarily. Any Other Ideas?

• I am using an ancient Compaq Presario V3000 with Windows Vista. It has been working beautifully until late last year (2011), when the sound suddenly disappeared, and the dreaded X in the red-circle popped up in the taskbar. Like most others, I couldn't even find a device listed in the control panel sub-folders. It was finally restored after being sent for repairs, which involved a clean re-install etc. All the proper latest drivers, service packs, what have you, were also downloaded and re-installed. Incidentally, all preliminary checks showed that there were never any issues with the drivers etc to begin with. The sound device (RealTek/NVIDIA) was always there, but did not show when searched for: no idea why. Anyway, sound worked ok for about a week after the repairs, then went dead again. After numerous failed attempts at following most of the current suggestions found online, and all but exasperated both myself and all the repair guys in the surrounding five postcodes, I decided to follow a random suggestion and ran a Hard Disk Self Test on the Phoenix BIOS in my system. (By the way, I have not been able to find where the sound controls are supposed to be on Phoenix BIOS - any pointers ? The Phoenix BIOS page sample screen shots seem to show more controls than there actually are). Well, I really only barely know anything about the inner workings of a computer, but about 50% of the time, running the Phoenix BIOS Hard Disk Self Test resolves the problem, and I have sound. But after a day or two, and for no apparent reason, this screwed-up problem would strike again. I would re-try the Phoenix BIOS Hard Disk Test, but it would then refuse to work until the laptop is left switched off overnight, after which I would have to re-do the Hard Disk Test the next day, and sound would resume. But again, only temporarily. I have also noticed that the sound would often suddenly disappear shortly after I plug in my Wireless PocketWifi device into one of the USB ports. When this happens, the DVD player and drive often vanishes as well - meaning it fails to appear in the Computer Panel. Then I have to re-do the whole bloody switch off overnight - re-run Hard Disk Self Test - etc. Being frustrated with this vicious cycle is an understatement. It is causing problems with my work as having sound is absolutely crucial for my presentations, meetings etc. Any suggestions/recommendations on a permanent fix for this, or - dare I even dream of it - a definite idiot-proof solution - would be greatly appreciated!

• Answer:

  The issue might be due to audio services getting stopped automatically. Make sure that the audio services are started. Also sometimes the issue might be due to Sound card. Visit the below link for more information: http://fixnosoundonlaptop.com/?p=95