I thought I would resurrect this thread after 4 years instead of creating another. Inspiron 8100 here too, all working great but why they put these terrible audio chips in is beyond me.
It does an OK job in Windows 98 SE with ESS Maestro PCI Audio (WDM) even DOS prompt games work with midi using Waveblaster.
Pure DOS though is another thing and fails to launch any programs or games
I've tried VDX drivers from ESS tech but these unfortunately do not work 'M3VXD_7129_Sign_29829'
Adding ESSAUDIO.COM, ESSAUDIO.INI to C: and updating the autoexec and config.sys allows things to launch but then it messes up Windows config. I eventually got Duke3d sound and music working in DOS, only to boot into Windows and audio not work with other games
Would it be easier buying something like a USB Soundblaster device like the Play 3 as mentioned here? - https://www.reddit.com/r/windows98/comments/i … for_windows_98/
Open to suggestions for PCMCIA cards too but devices like the Wavjammer and Yamaha SCP-55 are expensive and also very rare. I've read there can be issues with PCMCIA cards too. The Audigy 2 ZS card is readily available but apparently doesnt work with Win9X
Edit. A PCMCIA to PCI adapter would also work if such a thing exists (not PCI to PCMCIA) The closest thing that looks like what I imagine it would be is below. I would then connect a Soundblaster Live! or other PCI audio card that has better drivers including proper DOS emulation drivers in Win98
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/276181 … Bus_to_PCI.html
Thanks