[HowTo] Fix broken MB or MBP audio in Boot Camp

[munky]

Just a quick FYI... I installed WinXP on my MacBook Pro (15.4'', 1.83Ghz CD, 128Mb VRAM model) last night under Boot Camp, and I couldnt get the audio to work. Thankfully, i've been here before, having had the same problem on my old MacBook (White 1.83Ghz CD).

 

Basically, the audio driver didnt install, and I had an 'Unknown Device' in Device Manager. With the MacBook, I scoured the internet for ages trying to find a solution - someone said you have to install all windows updates, so I did that (for three hours) and it still didnt work. I eventually found the solution, so if you're in this situation, here's how to fix it:

 

(Optional) If you have installed any 'alternative' drivers in an attempt to get it to work, go to C:\Program Files\Macintosh Drivers CD (or similar, i forget) and go to 'Sigmatel' folder and double click the setup.exe. If it asks you to reboot, do so, remembering to hit Option so you can boot into windows again.

 

Now, go to Device Manager and locate the 'Unknown Device' (Not the PCI device), and right-click it, and choose 'Uninstall'. Ok any 'are you sure?' type stuff.

 

Now reboot again, back into windows. The 'found new hardware' thing should detect the sigmatel hardware. (If not, go into Device Manager, right click and 'Scan for new hardware'). It *should* detect and install the correct driver. In my case, at this point, it said it has installed the driver but the hardware cannot start.

 

I rebooted AGAIN and this time it came up clean. Proper working audio.

 

 

Basically, the detection of the sigmatel chip seems strange, and this uninstall/redetect thing is the key to getting it to actually work.

 

Hope this helps!