MSI MS 7173 Driver

The MSI MS 7173 audio driver allows Windows to communicate with the motherboard’s onboard sound hardware, enabling playback through connected speakers or headphones and recording through supported inputs. When sound is missing or an audio device is not recognized, installing the correct MSI driver can help restore normal operation.

Key Features

• Onboard audio support: Connects the MSI MS 7173 sound hardware to Windows so applications can use its available playback and recording functions.
• Playback and input controls: Enables Windows to manage supported audio outputs and microphone or line-in connections, depending on the motherboard’s hardware.
• Device recognition: Helps Windows identify the audio controller correctly instead of leaving it listed as an unknown device or multimedia audio controller.
• Hardware-specific operation: Provides the driver components intended for the installed audio chipset, which may offer more appropriate functionality than a generic Windows driver.

How to Install

1. Confirm your hardware and Windows version. Check that your motherboard is the MSI MS 7173, then identify your Windows edition and whether it uses a 32-bit or 64-bit architecture. If necessary, use the audio controller’s hardware IDs in Device Manager to verify the chipset.

1. Choose a compatible driver package. For Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7, review the download’s compatibility information before proceeding. This older motherboard may not have an official audio driver for every listed Windows version; do not assume an older package supports a newer system.

1. Prepare the downloaded files. Extract the package if it is compressed, and close applications that use audio. Creating a restore point before changing drivers can make it easier to undo the installation if a problem occurs.

1. Install the driver. Run the included setup program and follow its instructions. If the package has no installer, open Device Manager, select the audio controller, choose “Update driver,” and browse to the extracted driver folder.

1. Restart and test the sound. Reboot if prompted, then open Windows sound settings and select the intended playback device. Test your speakers or headphones and check the recording input if you use a microphone.

If audio remains unavailable, check cable connections, mute settings, and whether onboard audio is enabled in the BIOS. Avoid forcing an incompatible driver to install; confirm the hardware match before trying another package.

Common Issues and Fixes

• Chipset INF install fails on newer Windows: Run the MS-7173 Intel chipset setup as administrator and try Windows 7/XP compatibility mode. If it still fails, update the chipset manually in Device Manager via “Browse my computer” and include subfolders.
• Onboard LAN/audio not detected after a clean install: Install the MS-7173 chipset INF first and reboot. Check BIOS Integrated Peripherals that onboard Audio/LAN are enabled, then install the correct 32/64-bit Realtek audio/LAN package.
• Driver version conflicts with newer generic Realtek packages: Uninstall the existing audio/LAN driver with “Delete driver software,” reboot, then install the MSI package. If Windows keeps an older driver, use Device Manager > Roll Back Driver or manually select the MSI-provided driver.