Went to sound drivers for xp and based on my computer specs was prompted to download & install C-MEDIA driver 9739 .

Under Sound and Audio Devices Hardware :

C-Media AC97 Audio Device
Audio Codecs
Legacy Audio Drivers
Media Control Devices
Legacy Video Capture Devices
Video Codecs

All of the above are working properly .

VIA AC'97 Audio Controller:

Yellow conflict symbol ; " this device cannot start " ( code 10 )

TRIED to update driver via automatic update & got the following message :

" not installed - windows can not find the NECESSARY softwear "

Does this mean i need to try re-installing the audio controller package and if so where do i go to get it . Softwear patch.com has a download pkg but warns that these are generic drivers and best option is to download from MB manufacture . But does that mean VIA Technologies or BIOSTAR ? Seems like i have been down this slippery slope before Re-installed VIA Vinyl Audio driver for audio controller . Windows kept asking me if i WANTED to replace certain files and i did . I did notice that the new downloaded files in some CASES were significantly larger which i guess is good . I still am getting the same message from device manager however regarding the audio controller not being able to start so obviously i am still missing something .