Hi, I just reformatted my Gateway MX6436 laptop. I'm having trouble with installing my audio drive. I don't have the cd for it because i lost it, or i don't remember it giving me any. So i went on to the Gateway website and there was only 1 audio driver for my laptop so i downloaded that, opened it, and it says to Install Conexant AC-Link Audio. i clicked OK. It brings me Welcome to the found new hardware Wizard.. I ticked the Install the software automatically other than the specific location one, clicked Next. then after i downlaoded all the files. it says "Cannot Start this Hardware", There was a problem installing this hardware: Realtek AC'97 Audio. The Device Cannot Start. (Code 10) . Then a Finish button. after i click finish it shows a box that says AC-Link Audio - FAILURE.

The driver i downloaded was this http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers...p;uid=171874756


Any help? thanks.



This post has been edited by Midnightx: Sep 15 2007, 08:34 PM

Hi Midnightx...

In Device Manager, are there any other devices shown with a yellow ! or ? icon displayed next to them?

wannabe1

im having the EXACT same issue installing my audio driver for the MX6436, tech support made me download like 4 different drivers to no success, they were realtek drivers, however only 1 of the drivers actually installed, the only problem was the sound still did not function..... the driver that actual recognized the hardware was this AC97Realtek5740.exe @ http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers...p;uid=177966900


please please help.... im very close to tossing this pile.

also just an FYI, i get the same issue in both windows XP home, and windows XP proffesional, on 2 seperate OS installs.

HA! Gateway is the WORST! They tell you to download the drivers for your notebook...they install and then code 10!!!!
I'll cut to the chase with the solution, but I could go on for HOURS about how bad they are! I wish we could all BILL them for our time and frustration! If this solution helps you, think about making a donation to our dog rescue (link below).
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/midwestanimals.html

I took my n/b to the Geek Squad...after 3 hours they still did not have the sound fixed!!! After a little investigation (HA, months worth of investigation!! It's finally fixed!)

FOLLOW CLOSELY!

(ALSO: If you have been tearing your hair out over the PCI Modem, here is the driver. It is from Gateway (ick!) and will NOT list your model as compatible USE IT ANYWAY it works on the MX6436 model!

PCI Modem Driver- http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers...p;dscr=Gateway%

I also have the SmBus driver and Mass Storage Controller drivers for this model.

For the Conexant Ac-Link Audio Drivers/Realtek problem, here is the solution:

1. Install Realtek Audio driver: http://www.download3k.com/Realtek-AC-97-Dr...M_A404.exe.html
2. Reboot
3. Download and try to install (it will fail) the Conexant AC '97 audio driver. Here is the one from Gateway http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers...p;uid=194540439
(the Gateway AC '97 driver decompresses into the c:\cabs directory (make a note of that.)
4. Go to device manager, find the Realtek AC '97 audio item under “Sound, video, and game controllers”. Right click on it and select UPDATE DRIVER.
5. Select NO if it asks to connect to Windows Update, click NEXT.
6. Select “Install from a list of specific location” and click NEXT.
7. Select “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install” and click NEXT.
8. UN-select “Show compatible Hardware”. Now, CONEXANT should show up under manufacturer because you tried to install the driver earlier.
9. Click on CONEXANT on the left, then select “Conexant AC-Link Audio” on the right and click NEXT.
The driver will install. It may ask you for the location of some files a couple of times, keep pointing it at the c:\cabs directory.
10. You may hear sound right away (I jumped!), if not reboot and you should hear the glorious windows music!

I have a Gateway MX6429 Notebook with the same problem. I've followed the instructions exactly, however when I get to the 8th step I don't get the Conexant manufacture on the left. In fact, I only get 4 manufactures, one of them being Realtek. Is any one else having this same problem? Any ideas?

Why don't you try installing the Realtek driver where you found it. Then return to your device manager locate the Realtek device with the yellow exclamation point and proceed. If you installed the conexant driver, even though the install failed, it should be listed under the other drivers. Did you get some other type of error when you installed it, other than the failure message?

I did that and it's still doing the same thing. I didn't get any failure message with the exception of the Conexant instalation failure. I'm truly stumped! Thanks for the reply though.

Edit: I tried doing it a few more times and eventually it worked. Don't know why it wasn't before.

This post has been edited by aesteroth: May 11 2008, 10:16 PM