Windows 7 64-bit and Sigma Tel high definition audio CODEC problems

I recently upgraded my work laptop to the latest and greatest edition of Microsoft’s primary operating system Windows 7, 64bit. Seeing this is the first time I am migrating fulltime to a 64bit Windows system I have decided to keep my old 32bit Windows Vista partition on the same laptop using dual partitions. Everything with the installation of Windows 7 has worked flawlessly accept for one major problem has an easy fix.

My Dell XPS M1330 laptop uses an audio device referred to as the Sigma Tel High Definition Audio CODEC. Unfortunately after installing a fresh copy of Windows 7 64 bit no audio could be heard, even though the volume was up at full and all the device drivers reported did not any problems.

If you search the internet for Sigma Te High Definition Audio there is not much in the way of helpful results. Thankfully I found a simple solution; you simply have to manually install the Windows Vista, Sigma Tel HD Audio drivers onto your 64bit Windows 7. It seems the default drivers included in Windows 7 are maybe only 32 bit compatible? Dell thankfully offers a set of Windows Vista drivers from their FTP site that supports both 32bit and 64bit. And while they are dated 13th August 2007 they work fine in Windows 7.

As mentioned in this article’s comments some people have been expiriencing problems with the combination of Skype, Windows 7 and the Sigma Drivers. Skype seem to be aware of the problem but currently do not offer a solution other than to suggest that you make sure Skype and your drivers are up to date.

Why am I experiencing sound/video problems when using Skype with Windows 7? We are aware that not all sound and/or video drivers are compatible with Windows 7 when using Skype.