Soundcard. Can I, do I need to change it?

I have a Compaq presario 1700 with win 98
From when I start it up I get an awful noise coming from the speakers.
Its a continuous series of short loud buzzes. Almost a hammering sound

It starts with an error message saying Ess PCI Audio device setup utility Version 2.3iL
Allegro 1
Primary codec error

The noise continues throughout the boot to windows and goes on untill I switch off.
There are no hardware conflicts
I've tried muting the volume, disabling sound drivers yet nothing I try will stop it

Can anyone please advise

 

Have you ever tried different speakers? Maybe it's those that are busted.

If they work, then you can always get a small USB sound card and disable the internal one. Then just plug in ur speakers into the USB card.

Look into Turtle Beach Audio Micro, it's a small USB card the size of a flash drive and it works very well, maybe even better than the internal ones.

 

I'm tempted to say "time for new laptop!" but I won't =)

You may want to try reinstalling the drivers; typically if the speakers are busted you won't get a software error message. If that doesn't work, get the sound card although there may not be any cards that will actually plug into your Presario anymore.

 

I'm wondering about that. Would I be getting such an error message if it were just the speakers that weren't ok?
I looked up the Turtle Beach Audio Micro and found it for £25 + postage. Then of course I'd need to buy speakers too.
I don't really feel comfortable spending it if it's not 100% sure to be the only solution.
What does Primary codec error actually mean?

 

It really does seem like a Driver problem. Perhaps this would help?

http://www.esstech.com/techsupp/tech_support.shtm

 

I think it's the speakers. Try taking the speaker jack out of the computer, and see if it still makes the noise. Then try putting an audio device to the speakers (iPod, CD player, different computer, etc). If it still makes the sound in either of those two tests, it's the speakers. If not, then it's the sound card and/or sound drivers.

 

Speakers don't give error messages.
Plug in external speakers just for kicks, but even if they work you still have a problem.

You could try, reboot start in DOS type "scanreg /restore" enter, see if you have a date b/4 problem, if so pick that date enter and see.

 

Try installing Xp on it.