Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed

Subject: Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed
From: leeneia
Date: 23 Jan 22 - 02:18 PM

I'm passing on something I just learned.

I was unable to join the last Mudcat Singaround because Zoom put up a box claiming "Failed to find microphone and speakers." I spent two hours trying to fix that by using menus, checking settings, asking Google and checking cables. On Wednesday I had a Zoom meeting with a club, and I spent an entire hour trying to hear that meeting.
It remained silent.

I tried to call Zoom, but they wanted my Personal ID, which I couldn't see unless I joined a meeting, and I couldn't get on a meeting because Zoom's box wouldn't let me past.

Finally, among a lot of useless Internet tips I found the suggestion that I uninstall Zoom and install it again.

That's what fixed it. Everything at my end was fine. The problem came from Zoom, probably something wrong in an update. I uninstalled Zoom and tried to re-install almost immediately, but Zoom put up a fight. The next day, however, the re-installation worked perfectly. I guess it can take a while for a corporate giant's records to catch up to what a consumer has done. (This is a good thing to know for computers in general.)

I asked a friend to set up a Zoom meeting just for the two of us, and when I signed in, everything worked just fine. I plan to be at the Singaround tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 27 Jan 22 - 04:43 AM

I haven’t had that problem, but every so often while on Zoom, my laptop totally freezes, start making a horrible loud buzzing noise, which means that I just have to do a crash switch-off of the computer. Following that it takes ages to boot up again. Not sure why this happens; Google suggests “system overload”?
So I usually keep my iPad or phone close by: they both have the Zoom software on them, so can be used to get back into the meeting much more quickly in the event of the above happening.
The only good thing is that, even as host, if I have to crash out of the meeting, it still goes on with the remaining people.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 22 - 05:26 AM

If you have more than one device - tablet or smartphone say - then for testing you can start a meeting and then join it on another device. May be worth having it in a different room or having headphones plugged in.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 27 Jan 22 - 08:20 AM

Interestingly enough, Leeneia, I had *exactly* the same problem around a month ago, and the solution was identical - again, after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and cross-checking of everything and every permutation, it required uninstall then reinstall. Which then involved re-storing all my settings (a pain!). I since learned that the root cause was very likely the installation of an update around that time which had triggered some kind of bug and the tripping out of the default device recognition. Hence...
Yes, it seems to be impossible to get to actually TALK to Zoom Support - the online chat facility is just "one solution fits all" robot standard (as with so many organisations these days).

Subject: RE: Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed
From: leeneia
Date: 27 Jan 22 - 12:39 PM

Tattie Bogle, your problem seems different from mine, since you have that loud buzzing. I had a loud buzzing once, and it was caused by a MIDI controller (thing that looks like a piano and puts music into the computer.) I simply replaced the controller. I suppose a loud buzz has to be caused by a component capable of making sound, such as a speaker, microphone, Realtek Audio or a MIDI controller.

I have no doubt that when your computer makes a loud buzzing and then crashes, that its system is overloaded. But that's probably not the cause, it's the result of what's wrong.   

Recently the motor in our hard drive started to go, but it made a thin, continuous, high-pitched squeal.

Moorleyman, I'm willing to bet that your problem and mine were caused by the same update. It's vexing that there are so many self-appointed experts on the Internet giving feeble advice like "Check your sound settings," when the problem wasn't caused by my equipment at all.

After the re-install I had to go to Video Settings and restore "Enhance My Appearance." Bless their hearts.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed
From: GerryM
Date: 27 Jan 22 - 04:21 PM

"Vexing Zoom" would be worth a lot of points in Scrabble.

Subject: RE: Tech: Vexing Zoom problem fixed
From: leeneia
Date: 27 Jan 22 - 09:42 PM

Good for you, Gerry. We always need people who see the big picture.