Vostro 1500's sound card doesn't support hardware buffering?

So, I'm running a few sound diagnostics with Dxdiag since WC3 says that it cannot initialize the base sound services (This is under XP--if anyone know how to fix this, I will be very grateful), and when I tried to test Direct Sound under the Sound tab, it says that my sound card does not support hardware buffering... Now, my crappy 600 dollar desktop even supports this ONBOARD, am I missing a driver (All I know is that it's called "SigmaTel Audio") or is the on-board sound card really that crappy?

I'm pretty sure I have the driver installed since it even says on the driver CD's that came with the Vostro "All contents are pre-installed" (paraphrased).

Any takers on this one?

 

*BUMP*

I just want some confirmation whether or not the SigmaTel sound card supports hardware buffering, I couldn't care less about the problem in WC3...

So can someone please use dxdiag (simply type "dxdiag" in Run) and test out DirectSound and post your result here? Thanks.

 

Mine does support hardware acceleration, so yours should also support it.

Sounds like a driver related problem to me......

 

No, not hardware acceleration, hardware buffering. Mine supports full hardware acceleration as well.

Click on "Test DirectSound" button and note down note down the statistics. It should be something like:
"Mono, 16-bit 22hz, from Software buffer"

If yours supports hardware buffering, it should state Hardware buffer after a few tests of Software buffer. Unfortunately, after the software buffer tests, my Dxdiag simply shows that my sound card does not support hardware buffering and closes the test.

 

Ok. Mine does not support hardware buffering.

Sorry about that....

 

Okay, I guess it's just crappy SigmaTel not supporting hardware buffering then...

Wow, I'm pretty pissed off if this is whats causing WC3 to not work properly. I mean, even my cheap 600 dollar desktop supports hardware buffering, and this 1.2K Vostro doesn't? Grr.... Would calling Dell resolve anything...?

 

I don't think Dell can do anything for you because the sigmatel card is integrated into the mobo. So it's not like you have another option besides an X-Fi expresscard. Well, maybe they can cut you a deal on one - that may be the only help you'll get from Dell

 

Bah, it's worth a try. I'll give 'em a call on Monday when the phone load is lower.

Thanks for the help sleey0, +rep .