My computer's lost its sound!

Subject: My computer's lost its sound!
From: karen jonason
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 04:25 AM

Actually it lost it some time ago. It is a 5-year old Packard Bell with Windows 95. The CD player appears to work but there is no sound. Having checked all the cables are in correctly, I have also re-loaded the software but still no sound. Could it be a simple mechanical fault like speakers blowing? The help line has simply cost me a lot in phone bills. Would installing a new sound card be the best option? Any ideas? Not having sound is a big problem when using DT database and other song sites.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 06:09 AM

Hi, Karen - I've found that sort of problems is often caused by a missing or corrupted sound card driver. I suppose I'd try removing the sound card driver and reinstalling it. Right-click on My Computer and choose "properties." then click on the Device Manager tab and look for the sound card driver, and delete it. Then reboot, and let Windows reinstall the sound card.
Of course, with a five-year-old Packard Bell, there's a good chance that the sound card is dead and that other components are also on the way out. I don't think I'd spend much money on a computer that old.
good luck.
-Joe Offer, Sacramento, California (former home of Packard Bell)-

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: MMario
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 08:47 AM

I agree with joe.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: karen jonason
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 09:11 AM

I will try what you suggest. However, the computer might be old (my washing machine is 15 years - why should computers have to be replaced so frequently?) but it cost about £1000 at the time and I certainly couldn't afford to replace it. I increased the memory and it's fine for all purposes. The sound actually went within a year of purchase so I don't think it's problem is due to age. Would a new sound card cost a great deal?

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Grab
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 09:19 AM

ISA sound card is £10 (or probably $10 in the US, since we get everything more expensive over here).

Do the speakers work when you connect them to a Walkman? If so, then at least you've isolated the problem to the PC.

Grab.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: bob schwarer
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 09:51 AM

My speakers act up at times. In my case its a bad connection. Jiggle a few wires and see what happens. The first computer I had, had speakers that required a battery to operate. Just a thought.

Bob S.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Amergin
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 10:26 AM

Did you lose your sound shortly after you installed something?

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: MMario
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 10:31 AM

aha! about a year? check for batteries...one some models of speakers they require batteries, but WILL WORK if you take the batteries out and REVERSE the position of the on/off switch.

Okay - it sounds crazy, but it's true. Only it doesn't work with the batteries in place, but "dead". If you have batteries in the speakers, try removing them and setting the power switch to "off"

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 10:32 AM

This is a really stupid suggestion, but have you accidently muted your sound?

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Zebedee
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 11:15 AM

Karen,

Much as I respect Joe Offer, I think he's wrong in expecting that your computer components will fail after 5 years. Generally they won't.

The difficulty in answering your question is that the problem my be any number of things from a large variety of possibilites.

The first thing to do is to try and isolate the problem. Try the speakers elsewhere, try some headphones in the soundcard etc.

If the problem is definatly with the sound card, follow the above advice on reinstalling the driver, and Scorcha's point of checking the audio settings.

If none of this works, you may need to get inside your computer to look at the soundcard. Take it out, put it back in, and that might solve things - it's amazing how many times it does. (deleteing the driver before a fresh reboot can also help)

If none of this works, maybe you need a new soundcard £10 - 15 will get you something that works well.

I hope this helps

Ed

feel free to PM me with any problems if you prefer

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: MMario
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 11:21 AM

Zeb - we run a forty to 60 percent breakdown rate after only three years of use depending on the make of the computer. -

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Zebedee
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 11:32 AM

MMario,

I don't doubt you, but I sometimes use computers with 10 year old components, and they generally work.

I don't like the strategy of 'throw it away at the first sign of difficulty'

And I don't think that will help Karen

Ed

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: kendall
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 02:00 PM

I lost my sound when the man did a deep something or other, and now, my sound card driver does not appear on the list. I dont have any of the discs from the original set up.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Amergin
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 02:07 PM

If you know the make and model of the sound card, you can go to the company site and download the driver for it.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 04:16 PM

Well, Zebedee, my first guess is a driver problem - if the speakers have been tested and prove to be working properly. I would expect most brand-name computers to operate indefinitely - my ex has the Tandy I bought in 1988, and it still works fine. I may have exaggerated a bit about Packard Bell, but they seem to be one brand that is plagued with quality problems; and I would be hesistant to spend much money to repair a Packard Bell.
Packard Bell moved from Los Angeles here to Sacramento a few years ago, with the help of a large subsidy from the City of Sacramento. They did great marketing, but never seemed to be able to produce a quality product - even after NEC bought the company and pumped a lot of money into it. Now the Packard Bell plant is closed, and I think it's just as well. The company is still in business, I guess; but they don't seem to be marketing in the U.S. any more. Their website is http://www.packardbell.com (click). You may be able to download an updated driver there.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 04:55 PM

there are 5-6 ways to kill or mute the sound...be SURE you look at buttons, level controls, etc. before you start downloading or buying things!...if you know ANYONE who understands these things, have them poke around first! It 'could' be simple

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 10:47 AM

You think you've got problems! Our computer has lost its picture which is a real buggar because we can't use any programs to try to sort it out because we can't see them!!!!!!!!!!!
Ps I'm at work now so I can see.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From:
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 11:24 AM

Joe, Here in Canada, Packard Bell is sold through Tandy/Radio Shack stores.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 11:25 AM

Is your monitor plugged in? Turned on? Have you checked the screen settings to see if it was dimmed down? You also might want to try and see if the monitor is plugged securely into the computer. Also it might be a loose wiring connection somewhere, try jiggling it about gently. Or it might be that the tubing went out.

Subject: RE: My computer's lost its sound!
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 12:38 PM

Hi Karen!

I lost the sound on my Packard Bell about 3 months ago. One day when I had a bit of time, I got down on my hands and knees with the thing and I realized that, when I had unplugged a cable while dusting, I had replugged it in the wrong jack. I know, Karen, that you have feel you have it properly connected but it might be worth yet another examination if you have multiple jacks that accept similar plugs.

If not, I hope the 10 quid sound card will get you fixed up.

All the best,
Dan