Windows Vista forum: Windows Update - Now sound doesn't work

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial143.html

that problem usually happens with sigmatel audio drivers, what you have to do is, go to control panel, then go to programs and features, try look for sigmatel, if you see it delete it, then restart your computer and automatically will detect the audio driver native from windows vista and it will reinstall it by itself, that should resolve your problem, if not try this, right click on computer, then click on manage then on the left side double click on device manager, then go to sound , video and game controllers right click on sigmatel audio, select update driver software, after that there is going to be 2 options select browse my computer for driver software, now in the next window, select the option that lets you pick from a list of device drivers on my computer, then select high definition audio device and click on next, that will reinstall the driver that comes with windows vista by default and correct the problem, if not try updating the audio driver

I uninstalled the Sigma Tel Audio completely & then restarted my laptop. Success finally!! I've been trying to get the sound back for some time now. I'm not all the computer savvy and the info suggested by Microsoft Vista, Sigma Tel, Gateway only created more confusion and none of it fixed the problem. Your solution seems so basic I have to wonder why Microsoft doesn't offer it. I wanted to let you know how grateful I am, Thank you so much. In the future I will come to CNET first for help instead of Microsoft. Thank You again.
R

I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM TODAY. I UPDATED MY CONEXANT HD-SMART AUDIO DRIVER VIA WINDOWS UPDATE AND MY SOUND DRIVER WAS CORRUPTED AFTER INSTALL AND RESTART. WEIRD STUFF GOING ON HERE. OH WELL, I WONT UPDATE UNTILL THE UPDATE IS POSTED ON HP'S WEBSITE SIMPLY BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST MISCROSOFT UPDATING OTHER MANUFACTURE'S PRODUCTS.......

That's an age old lesson. Sorry you had to learn it first hand.

There is no drivers being installed that I know of. Please supply which KBxxxxxx numbers are being installed next time if you want forum members to dissect this.

In the meantime, use the above to fix.

Bob