Reinstalled WinXP and reinstall most drivers, but when it comes to sound cards, couldn't find myself a proper one. I've heard i'd be able to find the driver i'm looking for in the gateway support site, but it's down.
Anyway, here's the everest report:
Mobile Intel Pentium M, 1400 MHz (14 x 100) Gateway Gateway 450ROG
Audio Adapter: Intel 82801DBM ICH4-M - AC'97 Audio Controller



[b]Support Information:
Device Type: Sound Card
Manufacturer: Gateway
Model: Intel 82801DBM ICH4-M - AC'97 Audio Controller [B-1]
Interface: PCI / ISA
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
Age of Device: Not specified
FCCID:

Find it on DriverGuide (http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=srch&sm=b&aax=&qa6=424&qa5=19&qa7=1500&dp=3&qm0=Intel+82801DBM+ICH4-M+-+AC%2797+Audio+Controller+%5BB-1%5D&jmd=and&fzz=d) | Find it with Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Gateway+Sound+Card++Intel+82801DBM+ICH4-M+-+AC%2797+Audio+Controller+%5BB-1%5D+Windows+XP+Professional+) | Research manufacturer Gateway (http://members.driverguide.com/index.php?action=getinfo&companyid=424)

The Gateway website is working fine. And they don't have any such laptop listed, eg: 450ROG. That doesn't even resemble a Gateway model.

I suggest you attempt to figure out the true model number then go here to get the driver:

http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/ddaStep.asp?Tab=All

Field Value
Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID <DMI>
Motherboard Name Gateway Gateway 450ROG

Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel NetBurst
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz (QDR)
Effective Clock 400 MHz
Bandwidth 3200 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties
Bus Type DDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 133 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 267 MHz
Bandwidth 2133 MB/s

Chipset Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel Hub Interface
Bus Width 8-bit
Real Clock 67 MHz (QDR)
Effective Clock 267 MHz
Bandwidth 267 MB/s

can't find any other name for the laptop. and the link you gave me doesn't work, tried it at some of my mates' places, shows page not loading every time. It's probably because of my provider, or my region(eastern europe)

I found the link by using Google... here it is:

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/450ROG/3501353nv.shtml

Click the "download driver" link at the top.

It strange that their regular machine search engine doesn't find it.

Thing is, the site doesn't work at all. from either browsers, mozilla, opera, or IE. If you're kind enough to download it and mail it to me, i'd be grateful.
edit: no.email.addys@allowed.com

It works fine for me using IE7 or Firefox browsers so your problem is with your pc or network system.

Try using this direct link to the driver: ftp://esupport:vImvF88@ftp.gateway.com/pub/hardware_support/drivers/win_2k/portable/450rog/9520522.exe

IE7 doesn't open it either. Tried it on numerous systems, browsers, users, doesn't open.

There are no restrictions put on this file so unless your system has been blocked from downloading, you should be able to download the file. Do you get any error messages when you try to download the file? Whatever the problem is, it's on your end because I can download the file with ease. And I've always been able to download files from the Gateway website.

I know it's from my end, the gateway site just doesn't open. :insane:

Can you download files from driverguide.com? If so, let me know and i'll get the file and upload it.

Yes, I can. Thanks!

http://members.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?driverid=1322552

It may not be available for awhile until approved by administration. Usually within 24 hours but most of the time, sooner.

It looks like the right driver, but when i try to install it, it demands some realtek components that. If i try to install a realtek audio driver, i get the BSoD.
Suggestions?

What "realtek components" is it demanding? You're first sentence doesn't make any sense as it's ending in "that".

The sound driver comes directly from Gateway website so it should work fine.

Sorry, must've forgotten some words, heh.
First off, it demands a "Realtek AC97 audio driver disk. If I click on manually find the files, it demands ALCXWDM.sys.If i skip that, it asks for more and more files.

It doesn't need any disk. All that's required is to install the driver file from Gateway.

At what point does it demand a Realtek AC97 driver disk? ie: during bootup, after bootup, when opening some program, other?

Have you installed the driver from Gateway? Did you get any error messages during installation? How exactly did you install the driver?

Did the driver contain any TXT or DOC files? If so, did you read them?

Try uninstalling the current driver in Device Manager, then reboot and install the driver. Tell me the results. If that doesn't work then read the information is this thread:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Q_20871674.html

Note: You have to scroll to the bottom to see the answers to the question posted at the top of the thread.

You don't open install files using a browser and you don't open EXE files. You run them by double clicking it. EXE files are either self-extracting or self-installing. The screen will tell you what to do during installation.