Must I RMA again?

[JooKed]

I just got my Asus P5E motherboard back after I RMA'd it 3 weeks ago. I RMA'd it due to a bios failure/curroption and it wouldn't post. They gave me a new motherboard, and I don't see how it takes more than 20 days for them to do such a thing. Anyways, their RMA service sucks, their software is faulty, their forums are slow and now I have a new problem.

I just reinstalled a brand new P5E and my sound card doesn't seem to get detected. Its a Supreme FXII (PCI-E 1x) that came with the mobo, and the blue lights are on, showing that their is at least power going to it. My speakers are in the correct audio port, and they work on my other computer just fine.

Im using Vista 64 and I NEVER had this problem with the previous board. I didn't even need to install any drivers, as the sound card seemed to just be plug and play. I assumed that the new mobo had some sort of compatibility issue with my hard drive, so I reformated and reinstalled Vista. I get the same old

"No Audio Output Device is installed." while hovering my mouse over the speaker icon with a red X on it.

There is NO, I repeat, NO sound/audio controller under device manager, and not a single exclamation mark/question mark. Ive installed realtek HD audio drivers, and they wont even show up in my add/remove programs list. I tried installing the audio drivers that came with the mobo, but it keeps saying its not compatible with my hardware.

I checked the bios, and audio is enabled.

Google has found a lot about this subject, but most of the forums are just dead ends.

RMA again? Gay.

[Scourge]

If you're going to use the sound card. Try disabling the onboard sound in the bios.

[JooKed]

I dont think... there is on board sound. The P5E motherboard came with the sound card because it doesnt have one integrated.

[FragaGeddon]

Did you install the drivers for it.

[JooKed]

No, because installation stops due to "driver files not compatible with hardware"

I also installed chipset drivers.

[shadd_]

you're having shit luck with this build.

i can only suggest the usual fuckery. reseat the card, try diffrent slot, bios update, check bios settings, reset cmos.

good luck

[JooKed]

gah.... should I rma the soundcard or the mobo?

[shadd_]

hmm, what does asus say? i would rma the sound card first if i could. you could pick up an ultra cheap one in the meantime. or step right up to an x-fi.

i don't really know what the Supreme FXII is like. if its worth upgrading or waiting on a replacement.

[JooKed]

Eh, I might just get a cheap pci card from circuit city or soemthing. I'm not totally an audiophobe, however, this mobo doesnt even have integrated sound to back up to.

[shadd_]

i ordered an x-fi gamer earlier today. i've been playing with headphones alot and my audigy just didn't seem to be giving me good positional sound in games. the x-fi is supposed to give exceptional surround with headphones. should be here tomorrow.

i'll let you know if it's leaps and bounds above the audigy.

[shadd_]

Eh, I might just get a cheap pci card from circuit city or soemthing. I'm not totally an audiophobe, however, this mobo doesnt even have integrated sound to back up to.

don't they have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee? could always bring something back after rma comes in.