Avid can't find audio hardware on start up. I have Vista 64 bit. Audio is installed and working well with media player. Device manager is ok. No questionmark. What can I do?

First, let us know what your Audio card is.

Build in audio on supermicro X7DWA-N-O motherboard.

Ok, I'm not expert on building a PC but I believe that is your problem. Avid requires very specific audio hardware.

Hopefully someone more PC hardware savvy can jump in here and give you exact specs on what you need.

In general, you need a soudblaster card and to disable the onboard audio (I think).

I think that motherboard uses a Realtek sound chip.  It certainly uses HD 7.1 audio, and that may be your problem.  Try setting the sound to stereo rather than HD.  Avid doesn't play well with non-stereo configurations.

If that doesn't work then Soundblaster will probably be your best bet.

Also ... while crusing around the Microsoft Support Site, I saw an article, "No sound after Windows Update".  Hmmm ...

Yes it is a Realtek sound chip. I set the loudspeaker setup to stereo, but no change.

Do anybody know a good soundcard which works with Visat 64bit and Avid?

Any M-Audio sound-hardware will do or a simple Creative Labs Soundcard.

But I have to correct something ;) Avid does not need any specific sound hardware... Just just needs specific Hardware to be connected, but it does not have to be used.

I can connect my M-Audio Fasttrack USB to my computer and still use the Realtek onboard sound with Avid. Funny, eh? Must be some *** contract between Creative and Avid. M-Audio "is" Avid, so that's serious ^^

No I have E-MU 1212M PCI Soundcard and everythink works fine.

HIya,

I had the same problem with one machine using Realtek HD and no problem at all with a second machine.

HOwever, I found a workaround on this site which was to

1) disable sound card

2) install the demo of Total recorder and enable the virtual sound card. 

3) open avid and in sound card configuration it should now read 'use windows mixer' if not select it.

4) enable realtek audio and uninstall total recorder

5) Restart Avid and now it works every time with Realtek sound.

Worked like a charm from then on, so seems to be something in the Realtek software mixer rather than the audio chip itself. . 

I also had a problem not finding my audio card. I found that my webcam conflicted with it. Avid doesn't like webcams or modems apparently, so disconnect them and restart your computer. That worked for me.

Careful with M-Audio, some of their products do not have 64 bit drivers yet.