PC Audio Driver Support for End-Users / Consumers

PC AUDIO SUPPORT DISCLAIMER

The information presented in this document is for informational purposes only and may contain technical inaccuracies, omissions and typographical errors. Tempo Semi reserves the right to revise this information and to make changes from time to time to the content hereof without obligation of Tempo Semi to notify any person of such revisions or changes.

TEMPO SEMI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTENTS HEREOF AND ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INACCURACIES, ERRORS OR OMISSIONS THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS INFORMATION. TEMPO SEMI SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL TEMPO SEMI BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, EVEN IF TEMPO SEMI IS EXPRESSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get an audio driver?
Our OEM partners provides us with detailed feature-sets and behavioral specifications for every model. If a feature is not available, this is likely because they chose not to enable it in either software or hardware. TEMPO SEMI must comply with our customer’s specifications for their systems.
We are not allowed to distribute OEM drivers to end-users, nor can we make modifications to the drivers outside of these manufacturer’s specifications.

TEMPO SEMI continually updates our OEM customers with new drivers that include bug fixes and new feature requests.
We recommend that you:
Use the driver supplied with your computer or obtain a driver update from the OEM manufacturer .  For your convenience,  the complete list of Tempo Semiconductor OEM Partners is available here.

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I accidentally deleted my audio driver (either TEMPO SEMI or SigmaTel), what do I do?

Currently Integrated Device Technology does not provide any end-user support or drivers for PC Audio products. This includes the PC and Notebook audio product lines acquired from Sigmatel.

Our OEM partners provides us with detailed feature-sets and behavioral specifications for every model. If a feature is not available, this is likely because they chose not to enable it in either software or hardware. TEMPO SEMI must comply with our customer’s specifications for their systems.

We are not allowed to distribute OEM drivers to end-users, nor can we make modifications to the drivers outside of these manufacturer’s specifications.

TEMPO SEMI continually updates our OEM customers with new drivers that include bug fixes and new feature requests.

We recommend that you:
Use the driver supplied with your computer (set-up disks that can with purchase) or obtain a driver update from the OEM manufacturer .  For your convenience, the complete list of Tempo Semiconductor OEM Partners is available here.

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End-User Technical Support/Questions/Feature Requests

Currently Integrated Device Technology does not provide any end-user support or drivers for PC Audio products. This includes the PC and Notebook audio product lines acquired from Sigmatel.

TEMPO SEMI’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners have requested that all technical support for their models be handled by the OEM directly. OEM refers to the Brand Name of the Personal Computer or Notebook that uses a TEMPO SEMI PC Audio product or solution. Please contact the manufacturer of your computer (OEM) with your question.

For your convenience, the complete list of Tempo Semiconductor OEM Partners is available here.

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OEM Partner List links to get drivers

DISCLAIMER
TEMPO SEMI provides the following list of OEM partners for your convenience only. TEMPO SEMI makes no representations or warranties with respect to the correctness of the links. The content on the OEM partner pages is the sole responsibility of the OEM partner and they may change or delete the linked pages without prior notice to TEMPO SEMI. The list below does not represent a comprehensive list of all manufacturers that have selected to use TEMPO SEMI PC Audio Solutions.

Please note that clicking on the OEM partner links will open the page in a new browser window.

DELL Support Page http://support.dell.com/
Audio Forums – Notebooks and Desktops http://en.community.dell.com/
GATEWAY Support Page http://support.gateway.com/support/
Note:  Gateway does not always update their desktop support pages with the latest IDT/Sigmatel drivers that are available from Intel. Use http://downloadfinder.intel.com/  to find the latest Intel motherboard drivers. You can identify if your desktop model uses an Intel motherboard by navigating to your desktop model’s webpage from the Gateway support page. Select Components/Specifications from the information menu to see additional information on the desktop’s motherboard.
HP US Support
and Drivers		 http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html
INTEL Support Page http://www.intel.com/support/
PANASONIC Toughbook Support http://www.panasonic.com/business/Toughbook/computer-support-home.asp
SONY US Electronic Support http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DRIVER
Note: Sony does not support all models on a single website. Users may need to go to their region’s website to find the support and software for their model.
TOSHIBA Technical Support Center
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/home.jsp

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Microsoft Vista SP1 update is not available due to audio driver

Issue Overview:
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is not available for installation from Windows Update and is not offered by Automatic Updates: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=948343

NOTE: The SigmaTel/TEMPO SEMI audio drivers that shipped with your system are most likely compatible with SP1, but may trigger a Windows Update filter designed to mitigate the risk of issues encountered during update.

Users can still opt to download and install SP1 regardless of the presences of filters; THERE IS NO RESTRICTION OR BLOCK IN PLACE ON THE ACTUAL INSTALLATION OF MICROSOFT VISTA SERVICE PACK 1. The filtering mechanism simply filters the machines that are automatically presented with the option to install SP1 through Windows Update.

Root Cause:
Microsoft Vista SP1 makes improvements to the core operating system and the audio sub-system architecture. The SP1 update replaces Microsoft’s supporting audio files and requires a re-installation of the SigmaTel/TEMPO SEMI device driver, which depends upon the Microsoft files.

The specific device driver (re)installation method employed by Microsoft SP1 may be incompatible with legacy SigmaTel/TEMPO SEMI audio software packages for the following reasons:

  1. The SP1 Windows Update experience from Microsoft is designed to NOT require User Account Control (end-user) approval for each driver that is (re)installed during the update.   Yet, certain software features and functions – including some audio features – require end-user approval prior to installation. Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control for additional information.
  2. SigmaTel/TEMPO SEMI audio software configuration and application files are not tracked by SP1 as part of the core audio driver, and so do not get (re)installed properly after the SP1 update.  This may result in a loss of functionality and/or an improperly configured audio subsystem.

Note that in either of the above cases, after the Vista SP1 installation is complete, the original audio driver and applications can generally be re-installed safely using the SigmaTel/TEMPO SEMI software installer.

Resolution A
Download and install the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 from Microsoft:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935791/

Resolution B
If “Resolution A” above fails or you desire to have Windows Update install SP1 automatically, this issue can be worked around by simply uninstalling the audio driver prior to running Windows Update, then re-installing the same audio driver (or a later driver provided by your computer manufacturer) after the update to SP1 is complete.

Method for Resolution B:
This procedure assumes the user has hands-on experience with uninstalling and installing Vista drivers and Windows updates. If you are not familiar with these steps please contact your computer’s manufacturer for support in completing these steps. TEMPO SEMI provides these instructions AS IS and by executing the steps below accepts the TEMPO SEMI PC Audio Support Disclaimer at the top of this page.

  1. IMPORTANT: Make sure that there is a TEMPO SEMI audio driver available on your system to re-install before continuing.
    • Many OEM’s ship with core system drivers copied to the hard drive; ensure you have a valid audio driver available.
    • If you do not have the audio driver installer designed for your computer system available:
      • Contact the OEM (PC manufacturer) and download the latest available SigmaTel/TEMPO SEMI audio driver for Vista.
        NOTE: The version can be the same as what you already have installed.
        NOTE: TEMPO SEMI’s OEM partners control distribution of drivers for their computer systems; TEMPO SEMI can NOT provide driver download support for end users.
      • Make sure you know where the driver is stored on your system for later installation.
      • If you cannot obtain a copy of the audio driver for your system, contact your OEM (NOT TEMPO SEMI) for further support. The list of TEMPO SEMI’s OEM Partners is available here.
  2. Un-install the current audio driver
    1. Under Control Panel select “Classic View”
    2. Double click “Programs and Features” to select
    3. Uninstall the Audio driver: “SigmaTel Audio” or “TEMPO SEMI Audio”.
    4. Select the appropriate item and click on “Uninstall”.
  3. Allow Windows to update your system to Vista SP1, or download SP1 and install manually.
  4. After the Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) has installed successfully, run the audio driver installer obtained in step 1 above to restore your audio subsystem to full computer system manufacturer specifications.
NOTICE:
  • You must re-install an audio driver after upgrading to Vista SP1; the correct audio driver for your system is provided by the manufacturer of your PC (NOT TEMPO SEMI). Please ensure you have obtained the correct Vista audio driver for your system from your computer manufacturer’s website BEFORE upgrading to SP1.
  • TEMPO SEMI’s OEM partners provide TEMPO SEMI with detailed feature-set and behavioral specifications for every model. If a feature is not available, this is likely because the computer system manufacturer chose not to enable it in either software or hardware.
  • TEMPO SEMI does NOT distribute OEM drivers to end-users, nor can we make modifications to the drivers outside of these manufacturers’ specifications.
  • TEMPO SEMI provides driver updates directly to computer system manufacturers with requested features and issue resolutions; please check for audio software updates from your computer system manufacturer.

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Windows 7 audio driver support information

If you experience issues with the audio configuration in Windows 7, please contact the original manufacturer (OEM) of your PC or notebook. TEMPO SEMI currently does not provide end-user support or drivers for PC Audio products.

Our OEM partners provides us with detailed feature-sets and behavioral specifications for every model. If a feature is not available, this is likely because they chose not to enable it in either software or hardware. TEMPO SEMI must comply with our customer’s specifications for their systems.

We are not allowed to distribute OEM drivers to end-users, nor can we make modifications to the drivers outside of these manufacturer’s specifications.

TEMPO SEMI continually updates our OEM customers with new drivers that include bug fixes and new feature requests.

We recommend that you:
Use the driver supplied with your computer or obtain a driver update from the OEM manufacturer.  For your convenience, the list of TEMPO SEMI’s OEM Partners is available here.

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Stereo Mix box is greyed out

Our OEM partners provide TEMPO SEMI detailed feature-sets and behavioral specifications for every model. If a feature is not available, this is likely because they chose not to enable it in either software or hardware. TEMPO SEMI must comply with our customer’s specifications for their systems.

We are not allowed to distribute OEM drivers to end-users, nor can we make modifications to the drivers outside of these manufacturer’s specifications.

TEMPO SEMI continually updates our OEM customers with new drivers that include bug fixes and new feature requests.

We recommend that you:
Use the driver supplied with your computer or obtain a driver update from the OEM manufacturer.   Contact your OEM to express your desire in a feature. For your convenience, the list of TEMPO SEMI’s OEM Partners is available here

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Microsoft Support and Knowledge Questions

Microsoft has many article and solutions to general audio usage questions. Please go to  www.Microsoft.com , then to support, then knowledge base, search for your question or issue.  Microsoft also has support articles for how to record with Sound Recorder, how to connect microphones and more.
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General Audio Terms and Considerations

Click here to download the PDF for answers to the following questions.

  • What are Hertz?
  • What are some common sources of Noise?
  • What are Volt expectations?
  • What are the attributes of good audio?
  • What are the different types of Noises?
  • What can affect Audio?
  • What do I need to consider for CD Ground?
  • What do I need to consider for Laptops or All-in-one Models?
  • What do I need to consider for Microphones?
  • What do I need to consider for Power Supply?
  • What do I need to consider when it comes to Testing?
  • What is Frequency Response?
  • What is High Signal to Noise Ration or SNR?
  • What is Star Grounding?
  • What is Total Harmonic Distortion or THD?
  • What is a decibel or dB?
  • What is an Octave?
  • Why Isolate?

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Return to the TEMPO SEMI Audio Products web page