Sound card installed/adjusted but no sound!

[Unregistered]

Hello everyone,
My soundcard recently quit working and I can't determine why. I was last using my microphone in Yahoo, and shortly after it just stopped outputting sound. I have since reformatted windows, no luck there. The drivers are all installed, and my microphone still records properly when plugged in, but the speakers (and I've tried 3 different sets) do not output anything. Any ideas? Gateway told me to send it in, but it'll cost an arm and a leg, so I'm trying to avoid that. Thanks in advance!
-David (SgtGemini@gmail.com)

[jharriso]

Sounds to me like you've probably got a dead speaker out. I'd suggest getting a PCI soundcard and sticking it in your system. Be sure to disable the onboard sound, if indeed it is onboard.

[Unregistered]

I've tried a set of headphones, set of altec lansings, and no luck. So I don't think it's the speaker. However, I've recently started using a USB headset of mine and that works - is that weird? It's a laptop so a new soundcard is going to be a problem, but I may just have to. Thanks :-)

[Unregistered]

Sorry, I misunderstood. You mean the speaker out on the soundcard is shot. I was hoping that wasn't the case but it's really the only logical choice left :(

[jharriso]

Ah, since it's a laptop, the sound card is probably integrated, meaning that they'd have to swap the motherboard, which would be real expensive. You could either get a USB sound card, or a PCMCIA PC card slot sound card.
Just as a reference, here are some links to the respective cards:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=70SB053000012-DT&cat=SND
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HE-280B&cat=SND

[dparm]

For what it's worth, that Audigy 2 notebook card is amazing. If you like watching movies, or even just listening to music, the sound quality is top-notch.

[abudhu]

David:
While I am inclined to agree with the assesment made, I wouldn't jump the gun and send it to gateway immediatley. I would advise you to make an appointment with one of our Tech Leads in the underground. I believe they have walk in hours from Noon to 5PM on Tuesday's and Thursday's. On M/W/F you have to schedule an appointment. You can also call them at 626-TECH (626-8324) and have them take a look at it before you send it in, or make an un-needed purchase.

Amit Budhu...

(Edited: For Correct Walk in Hours time)

[fischerm]

I believe they have walk in hours from 5-8(?) on Tuesday's and Thursday's. On M/W/F you have to schedule an appointment. You can also call them at 626-TECH (626-8324)...
Walk in hours are actually Noon - 5pm Tues/Thurs

[Unregistered]

I appreciate all the help everyone :-) I am considering that Audigy PCMCIA card, but in my bios I can't disable onboard sound. I'll disable it in the device manager (Sigmatel C-Major Audio) but will my laptop onboard speakers still work? I don't know how that's all set up in there. Thanks again!

[jharriso]

You can go in through windows and choose your sound output/input device by going to the control panel>sound and audio devices>audio tab.
You can change stuff around in there pretty easy.

[dparm]

If you use the PCMCIA Audigy card, you can play back through the built-in speakers, or use their speaker output. Also, when you plug the Audigy in, it automatically becomes the default audio device (meaning you won't need to disable the onboard Sigmatel).

[Unregistered]

Everyone. I recently uninstalled RealPlayer. After that, I have no sound on my system, even when trying to play CD's. All my devices are working properly. I can't figure this one out. Please help. Thank you.

[jharriso]

Have you tried reinstalling real player to see if it works? You can also try Real Alternative, if the reinstallation solves your problem, RA should as well, and without all the evil ads and stuff.

[Unregistered]

Yes. I've uninstalled RP and reinstalled it. Then I uninstalled it again and uninstalled Media Player (reverted back to version 9 since you can't really uninstall MP). I then reinstalled MP 10. I've done diagnostics on my registry files and fixed the errors too. Nothing helps. My sound cards are fine too. I really don't want to have to reinstall Windows XP. Any other thoughts?

[dcv]

Have you tried doing a System Restore to a point before you started having this problem?

[Unregistered]

my notebook sound has started doing odd things ...only recent when i put my audigy 2 card into it, its not playing sound though it. If i test the card it works fine, but as someone said before 'when you plug the Audigy in, it automatically becomes the default audio device (meaning you won't need to disable the onboard Sigmatel).' im gessing this is not happing. Any ideas?

[Unregistered]

Hi everyone,
m a student in Germany and believe me my computer´s driving me crazy.
Listening to music and then all of a sudden no sound.
The computer claims I wouldn´t have an audio apparatus(audio Gerät in german).
Have installed drivers more than five times today from the "drivers and utility" cd.
When I reboot the computer and play music there is sound!I stop and play again "error" !
someone help me

[waltersp]

I'm way late to the game on this one, but I had a similar problem... and then smacked myself when i saw the solution.
basically, when i plugged my USB headset in, windows recognizes it as a "superior sound device" and defaults the output sound to the headset, rather than the speakers. So, you have to go to Sounds under control panel, go to the Audio tab and set the default device to your onboard sound rather than the USB device. As long as you leave your USB headset plugged in, you won't have to change this. However, if you unplug & replug your headset back in ... you have to go back here and re-choose that you want your sound card for sound playback. (you can also choose USB under voice and for the default recording device).
that make sense?

[doulalit]

Hello everyone,
My soundcard recently quit working and I can't determine why. I was last using my microphone in Yahoo, and shortly after it just stopped outputting sound. I have since reformatted windows, no luck there. The drivers are all installed, and my microphone still records properly when plugged in, but the speakers (and I've tried 3 different sets) do not output anything. Any ideas? Gateway told me to send it in, but it'll cost an arm and a leg, so I'm trying to avoid that. Thanks in advance!
-David (SgtGemini@gmail.com)[/QUOTE]