Soundcard won't record

[Answerprancer]

I need to get back into recording, I've just had a change of computer and there is an issue with the soundcard.
Computer is a Dell Inspiron 530 dektop, the soundcard is an onboard Realtek driven affair. All the record sliders are greyed out and it doesn't seem to make a difference whether I use the front or back sockets.
I've searched a few forums and this seems to be an unsolveable problem.
I really need a (close to) zero latency, front mounted audio interface with XLR/phono/jack and MIDI sockets, but in the interim I need some sort of quick fix.
I would be eternally grateful for some sound :-) advice.

[telleo]

cc

[society]

Sound advice you say? Dell computers are rubbish.

[The Builder]

AP ... have you looked to see which sound source is selected (control panel - sounds)

[AlBags]

After checking the Recording drop-down entry in Sounds .. Devices in Control Panel ...
That's down to drivers if you cannot get 'un-greyed' by other means. Try updating them if you can find them.

[Answerprancer]

Telleo - do what ?
Society - I've never had any trouble with them.
Builder, thanks - it says "Realtek HDA primary input" and there are no other choices from the dropdown.

[Buenchico]

Telleo:
There are moderators on this site who are watching out for time-wasters. Your only post so far doesn't seem to make any sense. If that was an error (and you're genuinely trying to be helpful) I suggest posting some clarification before you get banned.

AP:
Does anything here help?
http://en.community.d.../3513/t/19025499.aspx

Chris

[ChuckFickens]

download and install latest drivers for sound card...
http://support.euro.d...&osl=en&catid=&impid=

Check device manager that all looks OK

Check in services to make sure the windows audio service is running.

[AlBags]

<echo> <echo> : )

[Answerprancer]

Thanks Chris but the only possible solutions there are for Vista, I'm running XP.

[Answerprancer]

Thanks CF - off I go :-)

[Answerprancer]

...and thanks AL

[Answerprancer]

..uh oh - it's looking as if the driver is the same as the one I installed earlier.
Still, gotta try.

[society]

AP, do you have a recovery disk for the computer? If you do try reinstalling the drivers from there. I've had that problem and that's what I did for a solution.

[Answerprancer]

Ok - downloaded the latest driver and it was exactly the same as the last one, I've sorted it now - it's a bit slap dash and the sliders are still greyed out but at least something is happening.

[AlBags]

Creative Front Panel ordered yet?
They're pretty good.

[NazNomad]

Try this ... Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > click the Audio tab

What does it list as a default device? Can you change it if it's not the Realtek one.

[Answerprancer]

Naz - Choice is: Reaktek HD audio output or ATI HD rear audio output.
Al - I'll check it out, ultimately I need a pretty powerful one with as little latency as possible, with XLR, jack and MIDI sockets.

[NazNomad]

K ... it was a long shot that nobody had mentioned thus far. :-))

[Answerprancer]

It looks as if this soundcard is really designed for listening rather than recording, it's full of stupid bloody surround sound effects that I'm not interested in, the controls are split between some f**ked up version of the usual windows one and this stupid consoley looking thing Realtek insist I have to have.

[NazNomad]

Latency has ALWAYS been debilitating for me, that's why the 4-track is always on tap.