Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.

Subject: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Pauline L
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 11:22 PM

I need some advice on my home computer's audio system. The sound is barely audible. This applies for Windows Media Player, Real One Player, CDs, and all the gratuitous audio signals that the computer is supposed to make. I'm using a Dell computer and an Altec Lansing speaker system with four speakers and a subwoofer. I bought the speakers and computer in 2001, and the audio system worked fine until about a month ago. I've checked the obvious things: Everything is plugged in and the connections feel tight. The subwoofer is turned on. The volume control is set near maximum on the speakers and in all the applicable places (electronic) in the computer. All of the mute boxes in the computer's controls are unchecked. I've followed all the troubleshooting guides that Dell has offered and found nothing amiss. I unplugged the speakers from the computer and connected my headphone to the back of the computer, and – bravo – it sounded great. Can I safely conclude that the problem is the audio card? Could the problem be with the speaker cables or something else I've overlooked? House calls by the Geek Squad are expensive, so I hope that some able techie Mudcatters can solve the problem.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 11:37 PM

Sounds like you've hit all of the usual diagnostic bases.

New speakers cost about $20 and sound pretty good these days. You could pick up a new set and if they don't work then the speakers probably weren't the problem and you can take them back.

Changing out the audio card is also pretty easy and they probably don't cost a great deal these days. I'd check to be sure everything is plugged in tight inside the computer before buying the extra speakers or buying a new card, just to see if that makes a difference.

Opening your computer is easy and there is a lot of space in most of them for checking and/or replacing the card. Just don't touch the contacts on any of the stuff you're handing and avoid doing it at a time when there is a lot of static electricity in the air. (And the usual precautions apply--unplug it first.)

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Gurney
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 11:38 PM

Me too. Sound gone right off, volume control I CAN'T open, I click it and it just goes off, and a built-in sound card. I've been wondering about virii, but I'm aware I'm a little paranoid on that subject.
CD/CDRom plays OK through its built-in earphone jack.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 01:05 AM

Before replacing components, make sure that you've checked all of the volume controls. Some sound cards and sound control programs have volume/gain/balance controls built in that act in series with the generic Windows sound volume. A volume control for it usually is in the SysTray at the bottom right of your monitor, but sometimes the sound card control will displace it and it gets lost.

It does sound like you've checked all the usual suspects; but ...

Look in the System Tray (lower right "toolbar") for a Volume Control.
Look in Control Panel | Sounds and also in Control Panel for anything with "Sound" and/or "Audio" in the function name.
Look in Start | Programs and be sure there isn't a mixer/volume/balance etc program control that's been overlooked. Be suspicious of any program with "Sound," "Audio," "Studio," "Suite," or "Quick Start" in program or program folder names.

Others have reported similar problems, and have found "that other volume control," hence the suggestion to go through one more time.

Speakers generally can be checked by plugging them into some other device such as a tape or CD player - almost anything with an output jack.

If there's a software corruption problem (virus, perhaps, but other things can happen) you may need to download and reinstall codecs and/or drivers. Most of these can be obtained from Microsoft and/or from your soundcard mfr or from Windows or soundcard instl disk(s).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 09:44 AM

I had that problem with a PC at home. The keyboard had a lot of "soft" buttons at the top for "Run" "Play " "Pause", etc. and very big "+" and "-" keys. Mys son said "I turned it off. Just hit the plus key and it'll come back".

So I did. And it did

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 10:24 AM

Good suggestion about testing the speakers on something else, as long as they aren't built into the monitor. If they are, an external set could still be added. (I'd never recommend those built in ones--they have those on our monitors at work and they're puny tinny little things).

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: MMario
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 10:27 AM

If the headphones are working I suspect the problem lies in the connections or speakers rather then the audio card.   Do the speakers have batteries?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 02:54 PM

The headphones and the speakers are usually plugged into two separate outlets, the speaker plug typically on the back, the earphone plug on the front or on the monitor. The headphones should be plugged into the back speaker plug to see if they work there.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 08:06 PM

I unplugged the speakers from the computer and connected my headphone to the back of the computer, and – bravo – it sounded great. Can I safely conclude that the problem is the audio card?

So you removed the speakers, then plugged the headphones into the socket where the speaker were? If so, your conclusion is back to front.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 10:09 PM

Ah yes, back to the original report.

I remember setting up the new Dell a couple of years ago, and the sound card wasn't installed. I'd tried everything and the speakers were plugged in properly. But then we had to move it and I reached around back and guessed at the right plug, and was wrong. It wasn't until we were well into the service call and it still wasn't working that I remembered and took a look and it wasn't in the green hole. I knew that the sound card needed installing and that had been accomplished, but the poor woman in India must have been beating her head on her desk, thinking the whole call was about the plug originally being put in the wrong socket.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Pauline L
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 12:19 AM

Guest, thank you. I had that backwards. I have now tried absolutely everything that everyone has suggested. When I connected the speakers to my portable CD player, I got no sound. The only way I got sound was by connecting my headphones to the computer, using the green hole on the back. Now I believe that the speakers are the problem. Any other opinions or suggestions? SRS, do the $20 speakers you alluded to sound OK?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:38 AM

It could be the cable although you say you are getting some sound.

I assume these are powered speakers. Are they getting power OK?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 10:09 AM

I'll agree with Guest that your power unit is a likely problem with typical powered speakers. There's little that is likely to fail in the speakers themselves, but wires and connectors are common weak points. The wires used with speakers are often rather light weight, so the cat can chew a hole in one, and a little dirt or a bent contact in the jacks that things plug into can give an open circuit. (It seems to be nearly always the "female" half of connections that causes the problem, but I won't say that 'cause I'd have to run and hide. But "wiggling" things sometimes helps to identify where the problem is.)

If you can find the speakers you have been using at Dell Speakers it will give you and idea of what the direct replacement would cost. If you really want "comparable quality" it will give you an idea of what to look for.

Most computer stores should have suitable if not directly comparable speakers, if there's a good retail store in your area. It's common for speakers to outlast the computers they come with, so a "rebuilder" in your area might have something suitable on hand that might get better quality for what you'd pay at regular retail for a lesser set.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 02:45 PM

I had to replace stolen computer equipment last year at this time. I picked up two sets of speakers for $20 each at CompUSA. Bear in mind, if you want a system to broadcast to the whole house, or even a very large room, this isn't it. But if you want nice sound when you're working at your computer, this set with three speakers this is fine. Mine may have been on sale at the time, but you'll find these at $30 tops. They're two different brands and are slightly different in design, but consist of two smaller speakers and a larger central one (more bass from it). Both of these sets plug in, they aren't powered by the computer. They don't have any batteries.

They don't seem to have names, but stores like CompUSA will be bound to have something comparable.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:46 PM

These speakers of mine have a detachable DC 9V power plug. Depending on how much they cost or if you have an old power plug around the house, maybe you can swap one out and see what happens?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 11:16 AM

I've already said I had a new Dell delivered couple of weeks back, had a few sort outs thanks to the 'Catters., BUT talking of speakers, I have the Dell speakers that came with the PC and the right one works fine, but the left one (that plugs into the right)I can hardly get any sound out of it. I am plugged into the green hole at the back.

I've now found that if I plug the headset into the green hole instead I get perfectly balanced sound.

Do I assume that the left speaker although new, is faulty?

Having one hell of a job trying to get through to Dell.

whb

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 02:56 PM

When you do get through to them they'll probably just send a new box of speakers. We ran a few diagnostics (via phone) on a flat-panel monitor a couple of years back and couldn't make a non-conformist pixel behave, so they sent a new one. In about six places on the box it said not to return the old one. I ended up using that one myself.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 07:31 PM

Is it possible that the power source for the speakers is shot? Use a multimeter to check it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 07:45 PM

Seem to have forgot my name agaiin on the last 2 posts of mine...

Drifting a little but SRS, I presume you can get an equivilant to the "multi-output" DC power supplies we have in the UK? I've a regulated one that is switchable between 1.5V and 12V DC, can supply up to 1A at 12V and has a range of adaptors/fittings which depending on which way they are connected sets the polarity. I've found it quite handy either for powering something I would normaly run on batteries or to try to power something not working.

(here) is similar (same make but a later model)

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 11:59 PM

When in doubt, go to Radio Shack. That's the easy solution to finding a variable output device. I have one around here ("multi-output") somewhere for running things from the 12 volt battery in the truck.

There's probably something comparable for in the house. Those various power supply/adapter things come in all sorts of levels. 3 volt, 4.5 volt, 6 volt, 9 volt, 12 volt. I'm just rattling numbers off the top of my head from what I think I saw on the shelf when I was looking at a batch of old transformer things for electric devices.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 09:28 AM

When in doubt, go to Radio Shack

Unfortunately not in the UK where they traded as Tandy. The stores became "Carphone Warehouse" a few years ago.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 03:56 PM

In Australia, Tandy has been bought by Dick Smith (who is owned by Woolworths), but is still trading under the Tandy name. DS had a recent promotion of something at a reduced price, and the Tandy store was able to match that price - they even had a separate register code for it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Pauline L
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 10:34 PM

Thank you all for writing and helping me.

I haven't been able to access Mudcat for a few days, and I was about to buy some new speakers. I'm glad I can read what you've been telling me. I have some more questions.

What is meant by the "power source for the speakers"? I don't have a multimeter. The cables look intact and the connections feel tight, but I don't want to overlook anything. What should I do?

We have a lot of interruptions of power here. I have the computer and some of the accessories, but not the speakers, protected by a surge protector/battery backup. Is it possible that the speakers were zapped?

My current computer and speakers are from Dell, and Dell has given me unimagineable grief about repairing or replacing anything. I will never, never, never buy from Dell again. The speakers are no longer covered by warranty (of course). The speaker system which I bought from Dell is made by Altec Lansing. It consists of 4 speakers and a subwoofer (4.1). I don't know the model number, can't see it written on the speakers, and can't find the original paperwork, so I don't know the model number. Re replacing the speakers: I have conflicts. Music is very important to me, of course, but I am very, very seriously short of funds. If I buy new speakers, I thought I'd buy a 2.1 system. I don't have enough space to put 4 speakers far enough apart to matter (I think). I've done my research on speakers via the Internet, and I have checked CompUSA, Circuit City, Best Buy, Staples, and Computers4sure. I have another complicating factor: I don't have a car. I'm not going to pay for shipping, and I believe that the speakers would be too bulky and heavy for me to hand carry home from the store. I'll try to get a friend to give me a ride home from CompUSA, which is about 1 - 1.5 miles from my home. I've picked out 2 speaker systems which are both in stock at CompUSA. They have very similar specs (Watts in speakers, Watts in subwoofer, and frequency range). One costs $40, and the other, $50.

OK. Now what do you folks recommend?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 01:07 AM

Depending on what sound is on your 'motherboard/sound card' you really only need 2 channels. if the setup you have is setup for more than that, you will only miss out on the extra channels in games and some DVDs. If you only fit 2 channel speakers as a replacement, you may need to go into your setting and fiddle those back to 2 channels.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 10:00 AM

Pauline -

You should be able to go to the Dell website and log in, enter your computer serial number, and get a printout of exactly what components were on your computer. At least US Dell service works that way. If your "Dell" is from elsewhere, it may differ of course.

It is NOT necessarily a simple process, so I can understand if you'd rather use alternatives.

Altec-Lansing is a "big name" in speakers, and you should be able to find their website to find at least "something that looks like" your speakers. Manufacturers change models and shapes frequently, and often only show the latest models, but it's possibly worth trying.

You need to look at the speakers you have, and how they are connected, not at first to see what works, but to find outwhat you have.

With the 4-channel plus woofer setup, the computer often has several "sound channel jacks" - holes where you can insert a plug to connect a speaker. Most external speakers also require you to plug in a "power unit" that goes in an AC power socket, with a lead that plugs into one or more of the speakers.

1. Simple stereo: The simplest common external speakers consist of two "boxes." A leadwire from one box plugs into the (usually green) jack on the computer. The other box is connected by a wire to the one that plugs into the computer. The sound goes to the first speaker, and then the second stereo channel goes to the other speaker through a wire that runs between the two speaker boxes.

1a. Passive speakers: A really cheap external speaker pair can rely on power from the computer, without any additional amplification. I have not seen any computer maker in the US offering this kind as original equipment for several years.

1b. Speakers with built in amplification: You will have a small, nearly always black, power unit that plugs into an AC power socket, with an output wire that plugs into one of the speaker boxes.

2. Surround sound: This adds two more speakers, usually a "pair" of boxes that look much like the two boxes for the stereo setup. Computers in the US, in the era when you bought your computer, have a separate jack, either pink or blue and I don't remember which it is., for the "surround sound channels."

A "surround channels" plug goes in the jack and the wire goes to one of the speakers. A wire between the two speaker boxes sends the other channel to the other box. Usually, a second separate power unit plugs into an AC socket with a wire to one of the two speaker boxes. Surround channel speakers are available with 4 separate speaker boxes, rather than just two, for "Seven Channel Surround Sound Ultra Audio." Only teenagers order them, generally.

3. When you add the "subwoofer" it may be a single speaker box, or it may be another pair, connected to the third (blue or pink?) jack on your computer. Usually the subwoofer will have its own (a third) power unit.

4. An earlier setup used a single output jack on the computer, with all of the speakers wired together. Often the "stereo pair" plugged directly into the computer, and the others plugged into one of the stereo speaker boxes. In a few systems, a "control panel" plugs into the computer and all of the various speakes plug in the control panel box. With this system, the computer produces only a left channel signal and a right channel signal. Filter circuits in the speaker boxes separate out portions of those two "channels" to send appropriate frequencies to the "surround speakers" and to the subwoofer. Speakers of this kind are most generally used to "emulate surround sound" with older computers that don't have the multi-channel jacks built in. I have not seen a "main-line" computer maker in the US offering this kind of setup as original equipment since about 2000 or 2001, so I doubt that your system has only one speaker jack(?).

Any external device, such as your speakers, that requires a power unit, almost certainly contains "electronics" that can be zapped by a power surge on the AC mains, via a phone line or cable line, or just by a nearby NMP (nuclear magnetic pulse - if someone's been testing in your area.) Static discharges rarely can do it.

ALL YOU REALLY NEED for listening to music while you work at your computer is a simple stereo pair of speakers. The rest of it is more fad than function for a typical workspace. In order really to benefit from "surround channels" and extra bass, you need to setup "acoustically designed" listening spaces.

You can check out your power units for your speaker system with anything that detects the presence of low voltage DC. Assuming that your speaker system uses power units, you should start at the AC socket, and work your way to the speakers.

1. Plug a lamp or other AC device into the socket where the power unit was, and make sure that there is power to the socket.

2. Plug the power unit into the socket, and see if DC power is present at the output plug.

2a. You can do this if you have another device that uses the same DC voltage and has a matching socket.

2b. A voltmeter (VOM) set for low voltage DC is an ideal test device.

2c. You can use paper clips and a light bulb to see if you can make the bulb glow. Note that many power units are 12V DC, so a flashlight bulb (3V) will glow very briefly before it burns out, so use an automotive (12V?) bulb if one's handy.

3. IF your computer has multiple outputs for stereo and surround sound, plugging any speaker pair into the wrong jack shouldn't hurt the speakers or the computer. Any pair of speakers that has its own plug can be plugged into any of the jacks to see if a.) the jack produces an output and/or b.) that speaker pair produces some sound.

3a. You should be able to use a single "flashlight" battery (1.5V) to determine whether a speaker or speaker pair produces some sound. Place the battery on the tip of the signal line plug and tap a paper clip between the other pole of the battery and one of the other contacts on the plug and see if little "burps" come out of the speaker. With powered speakers, they will have to be plugged into their power unit to get a response.

If the power unit(s) for the speakers were on unprotected AC outlets, it is possible that a transient (thunderstorm type, probably not NMP) may have zapped the amplifier/filter electronics in one or more of the speaker pairs. It is also possible that a transient coming in through the speaker power line may have zapped the output devices on the sound card in your computer. Since you can get good sound with your headphones, that output jack at least may be considered "known good," and you should be able to plug any stereo speaker pair that you're likely to find "for computers" into that jack.

Note: A few computer systems with separate headphone jack are wired to disconnect the speakers if there's a plug in the headphone jack. You're problem could be that the speaker circuits aren't reconnected when you take the headphone jack out of the socket?????.

If you had an older computer that had any kind of external speakers try the old ones. If not, ask friends if any of them have a "spare." Failing that, look for the cheapest things you can find; and you'll probably find them adequate - or you'll know how much better it will take to satisfy you.

And put the power units on a surge protector. ANYTHING that connects to your computer should have surge protection.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: artbrooks
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 10:18 AM

Pauline, your speakers require power to work. The power source for the speakers is an electric cable from the speakers to the wall plug...yours probably goes by way of a circuit protector unit of some kind rather than directly to the wall. If your Altec Lansing speakers are at all like mine, the power cable goes from the sub-woofer (the big square box) and plugs in with a regular 3-prong plug. Mine doesn't have a converter, which is a big (3x4 inch), usually black, box at the end of the cable where it plugs into the wall or power bar. If that cable is missing - or not plugged in - than your speakers don't have any power going to them and cannot function.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 11:22 AM

Back to squre one: Sounds like it would be easiest to go to the store and buy a pair plus the subwoofer (what I have here) for $20 and plug them in and attach them to the computer and see if they work. All of this paperclip and lightbulb stuff makes the answer far more involved than it needs to be. IMHO.

These speakers don't weigh much. A couple of pounds. The box is smaller than a bread box (does anyone have those any more?). A little bigger than my toaster.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 11:33 AM

this has gotten way out of hand!

a simple problem made difficult.

if it was working before and ain't now, something definitely went wrong!

if a plug was in the right hole before, who moved it?

if the controls were set right before, who changed them?

Unintalling / reintalling worked for me!

A friend had a printer problem last week!

Uninstalling / reinstalling worked for him!

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Pauline L
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 06:30 PM

JohninKansas, thanks so much for the detailed tutorial. I will study it and get back to you.

Artbrooks said If your Altec Lansing speakers are at all like mine, the power cable goes from the sub-woofer (the big square box) and plugs in with a regular 3-prong plug. Mine doesn't have a converter, which is a big (3x4 inch), usually black, box at the end of the cable where it plugs into the wall or power bar. If that cable is missing - or not plugged in - than your speakers don't have any power going to them and cannot function. Artbrooks, my speaker setup is like yours. The power cable goes from the subwoofer to the wall socket without a converter. I've checked the power cable and wall socket, and I don't see any problems.

One more question: I thought the subwoofer would make a big difference in the quality of sound, even for classical mnusic, not just for hard rock. In the old days, the output of stereo speakers dropped precipitously below 50 Hz, so bass boost helped a lot. Would a subwoofer make the sound quality better now?

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 02:19 AM

Pauline -

If you're looking for "concert sound" to sit back and listen to, and really need to feel like you're in a concert hall (or a mosh pit) then those numbers about frquency response and signal to noise etc actually do have some meaning, perhaps.

If you just want some music while you're using your computer, unless you're among those who must have "bass you can feel" at all times, most will find that a simple pair of satellite (stereo) speakers will give reasonably good sound quality and sufficient stereo separation for enjoyable "background while working" music.

Except in rare cases, modern commercial CDs do not record any musical sounds below about 50 Hz, so worrying about rolloff below that isn't particularly worthwhile, if you're interested in accurate playback of what's on a CD. Very few FM radio stations deliberately broadcast signal components below about the same 50 Hz. If you're a long way from the station, there may be lower frequency content in what your receive; but it's largely transmission noise picked up due to the distance from the station.

Adding a separate bass "woofer" channel to your playback system allows a little more flexibility in adjusting the amount of low frequency content to suit your own preferences; but if your preferences demand enough bass boost the really benefit at anything less than "concert hall" playback volume, you can probably get the same effect by rearranging the furniture so you can sit on the clothes dryer while you work. If you're listening only at concert hall volume, you should limit your listening to no more than a couple of hours a day, or you won't hear anything at all in a few years.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Pauline L
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 12:40 PM

Thanks, John. Your explanation makes everything easier. ;-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 05:08 PM

Pauline -

Now you've got me worried. Moving the clothes dryer closer to the computer wasn't a really serious suggestion.

I must admit that for accompaniment to my computing I prefer somewhat more subdued musical accompaniment than some; but it really doesn't take all that much of a sound system to get about all that I can imagine being pleasant - at the computer while at work.

There is some justification for reading all those fancy specifications for a recreation/listening area sound system, and perhaps that's what you have in mind, so apply your own preferences.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Pauline L
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 10:48 PM

John, I don't want to try to simulate the concert hall, but I don't want a tone that's so thin and tinny that I can't stand listening to it. There is a lot of good music on the Internet, and I don't want the quality to be so low that it's offensive.

I erred in something I said earlier. My speakers/subwoofer were connected to the battery backup, as they should be.


Re the quality of speakers: Theory is interesting, but trying it is better. I walked over to CompUSA today and bought the cheapest speakers they had. I paid $20 for two minuscule speakers and a small subwoofer, then brought them home and, with great trepidation, tried them. YAAAAAAYYYY! They sound great! I'm listening to Mick Jagger sing The Long Black Veil right now, and it's fantastic! The speakers have more than enough volume for me.

This is one of those rare situations in which the solution is simpler and cheaper than I thought it would be. Thank you so much, everybody, for helping me. ;-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 11:06 PM

I'm glad to see that it worked! You may have the same set my kids do (their stereo speakers really are tiny but the sub-woofer has a little clout to it). My speakers are a little bigger, but since I have a larger stereo system behind me in my office I don't listen to a lot of music on the computer speakers, though when I do, it is fine.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Pauline L
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 11:29 PM

John, I don't want to try to simulate the concert hall, but I don't want a tone that's so thin and tinny that I can't stand listening to it. There is a lot of good music on the Internet, and I don't want the quality to be so low that it's offensive.

I erred in something I said earlier. My speakers/subwoofer were connected to the battery backup, as they should be.


Re the quality of speakers: Theory is interesting, but trying it is better. I walked over to CompUSA today and bought the cheapest speakers they had. I paid $20 for two minuscule speakers and a small subwoofer, then brought them home and, with great trepidation, tried them. YAAAAAAYYYY! They sound great! I'm listening to Mick Jagger sing The Long Black Veil right now, and it's fantastic! The speakers have more than enough volume for me.

This is one of those rare situations in which the solution is simpler and cheaper than I thought it would be. Thank you so much, everybody, for helping me. ;-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: GUEST,Christine.M
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 05:21 PM

My younger brother John has recently been playing about on my computer and I have reason to believe he has deleted my audio file and now there is no audio icon in the taskbar and I can no longer hear any music playing on my computer. The audio has been working perfectly previously up until the point he went on it. What is there I can do because Ive tried absolutely everything I can think of. Please help! Many thanks, Christine.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 09:40 PM

an icon is only a picture representing a program that actually PLAYS the music...that is, a link to a place where a program resides. Do you know what program it was? Do you know how to look at the directories and see if the program itself is still there?

Maybe all you need to do is replace the icon/link......if the program is gone, there are literally dozen of programs that will play music...many free ones are better than what you are given with the computer.

If for some reason you do need to replace or reinstall a program, you need to tell the computer where & what it is..(this is called 'associating' the program with the types of music)...otherwise, you'd need to open the program first and ask it to open and play the music.

If you are in Windows, it was 'probably' Windows Media Player being used.....take a look and see if that program is still there.

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 09:42 PM

(oh...and do look to see if it has just been muted, or some setting changed...and ASK him exactly what he did!)

Subject: RE: Tech: Help! Computer audio not working.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 10:05 PM

Check the Control Panel for Sound and Audio Devices and there are several places there to set or check volume controls. That's one place where you can check, as BillD says, to see if it has been muted.

And before you turn yourself inside out on all of this, have you looked to see if the plug is in the right hole for the speakers, and firmly plugged in?

SRS