Vista - Sound problems "in general"

Ive got some major issues since this morning. I've been reinstalling Windows vista due to some overall errors I got on this system.

Here are my specs in case it might be usefull.

Rampage II Extreme
Core I7 920 @ 3,78ghz
6Gigabyte Corsair dominator @1600mhz
2,5Terabyte storage.
Saphire HD4870/1G (crossfire, but not at the moment due to audio problems)
I had a Supreme FX II. Currently running on a X-fi Xtreme gamer which isnt working either.
Corsair HX1000W PSU
CPU, Ram and GPU's are watercooled.
Running on Vista X64

I specifically joined this forum for my problem since nobody else was able to help me. Like I said, ive been reinstalling windows vista. After vista was installed I got my Rampage II extreme original driver disc to install all the drivers and software. All programs were installed including the ADI Soundmax audio drivers for the Supreme FX II. Nonetheless my sound wasnt working. When I played a song I didnt got any sound. I checked all cords and they were all properly seated into their appropriate sockets.

So that was kinda confusing. When opening the volume mixer (right down on the taskbar) theres a equalizer bar going up and down in green colour. Which means the audio device is outputting sound. But still theres no sound whatsoever and connecting differently speakersets and/or headsets doesnt work either.

When opening the volume mixer it was outputting sound under the SPDIF protocol. And I dont need that kind of output cause the only thing i use is a speakerset and a headset all connected with a minijack. When I open device manager and check the audio device it says "high definition audio device" is installed. Im not completely sure about this but I thought this audio devices name should be anything similar to the X-fi soundblasters name.

So I uninstalled the audio junk from my computer and reinstalled it. This time with the downloaded drivers from the internet. These drivers were downloaded from the Asus site. Completely the same drivers (same version)
When I tried to install them (again) I got the following error message.

http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/...mg/1955637.jpg

(which is dutch cause I am dutch and so I got a dutch version of windows)
Its says >> The files of your audio devices are not supported by your computers hardware. Restart your system after removing the audio drivers and install again.

Im sure its not the best translation, but thats what it basically says.
Well first of all, I did restart my computer after removing the drivers. And after rebooting and restarting the installer I got this message.

Now I have a computer, with no drivers installed at all. And im unable to reinstall the soundmax drivers. It got me so pissed that I removed my second HD4870 from my crossfire setup (temporary) in order to make room for a 8x pci slot. I removed the supreme FX II and installed my old X-fi Xtreme gamer card.

Which took me alot of time since I had to drain my watercooling loop etc etc.

Now im running my computer again. Until now ive been quite confident that it my problem was hardware related. But once I booted my pc and got onto the internet I downloaded the X-fi drivers for my Xtreme gamer sound card.

I installed them with no errors whatsoever. But then again no sound.
Now my audio device isnt outputting trough SPDIF protocol but trough HDMI

The problem is there are no other output devices. Its just only HDMI.
Even after struggling with a new soundcard I didnt gave up hope and reinstalled the X-fi drivers aswell. And ofcourse that didnt help aswell.

Right now I dont have a clue what to look for. But im not really sure anymore if its a hardware problem. After all, people on 2 other forms coudnt help me out but did direct me to a windows forum. Or more specifically a vista forum.

I really do hope you guys know whats going on. I havent ever had a similar problem. So im also kinda desperate.

Thanx in advance,

I'm on Vista Ultimate and had similar experience. I suspect cause was failed update of Vista SP2, because since then, no sound.
Do have Sigma Tel and XAudio whatever and in fact, all drivers OK & Up-to-date.

Clicking on volume icon brings insert with three categories and four items; all nnoted "working". May be, but no sound whatever, wherever.

Surely some of you experienced members can provide cause/cure. Thank you.

anyone that can help me?