FUZZY SOUND PLEASE HELP TO CLEAR SOUND

[robinson7]

I got this PC built specifically for me, I have an integrated sound card on my motherboard. Standard issue. Everythings working fine but my sound when I play cd-rom games, cd music, and dvd movies, I get sound but it comes out very fuzzy, like if someone were to turn the knob to a radio channel and couldn't get good reception. There's this grey color wire that connects to the dvd-rom from the sound card. I thought maybe it was not properly connected, I double-checked, it is. So could it be my dvd-rom I have to change? or is the wire messed up and I need a new one? Or maybe it's the computer itself and I need to change a setting on my sound card or something. Please help, thanks.

[Randy_tx]

On-Board sound cards for the most part, are not the greatest quality; however, if the sound is good with everything else you do on the computer [like internet sound, internal windows sounds etc], then it might be a wiring or more likely something wrong with your DVD sound output [or the drivers the DVD uses to send sound to the sound card]. If your sound is good on everything else but the DVD......post that back here and someone here will take you to the solution.

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Will XP save Me ?

[diurnal]

i agree with randy and nice to see you back, your sorely missed. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[robinson7]

Yes, the sound for the computer's working fine like the chimes and bells, it is only when I play a cdrom game or cd music and dvd movie that I get the problem with the fuzz. Thanks for your fast reply and please reply to this post. P.S. I only have one DVD-rom that plays all 3 media. Hope that info. helps.

[Whyzman]

So, you're running a combo drive?? If so, are their any other quirks, choppy DVD play, or the like? Is DMA enabled if the device can use it?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[robinson7]

Yes, I'm running a combo drive but movies on DVD isn't choppy and game play video is the best I've seen to date. And now that I've been on the computer a little more I find that certain sounds work like the first chime that comes on when you just start the PC. But the little bells and stuff (you know when you open an application or close an application etc.) I can tell it's a little fuzzy. But my windows media 7 sample music with Beck sounds crystal clear. Also, the sound is fuzzy when I play any media from MSN, like audio reels. I don't know what DMA means to know if it's enabled in my computer or not. Any ideas?

[Whyzman]

You mentioned in your original post that you had this PC built for you. Was this by a local shop, or a national brand name? If it was a recent build you should have some sort of warranty. I would suggest pursuing the builder before you get too far into this as you could possible void your warranty by "messin!" http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

In the meantime, I think we had a very similar situation recently regarding this very issue. If any one remembers and it applies perhaps they would be so kind as to direct us that way.

But, for now would you post back regarding the warranty situation and what options you might have available?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[robinson7]

I had a friend build it. He brought all the parts from a small independent company. The warranty for the parts still there just I don't have a big company to send it too if something goes wrong. I would have to send it to the small independent company and have them look at it. I would have to take everything out and send them back the motherboard. They would test it and if something is wrong would just give me a new one. They won't fix the problem for me. Besides I really want to see if it's a smaller problem than that before I take it apart. It took forever for me to get this computer done. Would anyone know of a good,dependable and trustworthy pc repair companies that I may take it to in the San gabriel Valley or LA county areas? Please reply Whyzman http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Whyzman]

Thanks for the additional information! Since you assembled from purchased parts you ought to have considerable access to the various manufacturer's Tech-support help lines. I say considerable, although more acurately, it might well be dependent upon whether you purchased OEM or Retail.

With some problems it might be much faster to just bite the bullet for the long distance call (provided they don't have the 800 access) and contact Tech-support. My experience is that the actual manufacturer tech support (not hired out third-party) are quite aware of problems in the field and the solutions.

Since your sound card is integrated, and sound seems to be the issue, I would start with your MB manufacturer.

As far as a local trustworty shop, I'm sorry but I have no personal knowledge of what is available in your area...however, I've noticed that there are a number of members from California.

As an aside, if someone lives close to San Andreas is it their fault? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Would you keep us informed on your progress?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[robinson7]

OK, http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif I will call the MB manufacturer guys but I would still like help in finding a trustworthy pc repair place in the San Gabriel Valley or LA County area, if anyone out there knows of such a place, PLEASE REPLY ME WITH THE NAME,ADDRESS, AND PHONE #! IT WILL GREATLY BE APPRECIATED! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif I'll keep you posted Whyzman if or when my sounds get's fixed. Hopefully when http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Sna Andreas Fault...(Oh I get it http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif )

[ranchdog]

Hi robinson....

Just a shot at this one. Go into BIOS at boot-up (DEL key) and look for something similar to SB 16 Emulation. Has to do with sound while in DOS. Whichever way it is set, enabled/disabled, select the opposite. Probably set as disabled as default. Then save and exit. This option is usually dependant upon the Mboard/BIOS in use.

There was a problem similar to this recently and it had to do with a selection of the Digital sound option. Still trying to find the post on that one.

For DMA settings go to Device Manager/click the + on CD-ROM/click your combo unit/click properties/click settings.

You spoke of having a sound card. With a grey sound cable attached to it from the DVD. See if you can determine the Mfg. of the card, go to thier website and browse for the latest and best drivers available. Also, while there, see if the website has a FAQ section to check into.

Have you tried a different set of speakers?

Luck.



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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[iisbob]

I'd say that ranchdog is on the right track here, before i do any "messin" as whyzman so elegantly put it ( http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif ) , i'd go to the motherboard manufacturers site and see if they have any updated sound drivers for the motherboard. This is usually a software issue, you may also try and see if there are any available updates for the DVD player, such as firmware or even patches due to known incompatabilities in Windows with this particular model.

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iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

[This message has been edited by iisbob (edited 11-10-2001).]

[robinson7]

The driver for the DVD-rom is in perfect working order, I believe it may be the driver for the motherboard but I haven't checked their website yet, I will keep all you great people informed after I check the website, thanks!

[robinson7]

The website for drivers for my motherboard soundcard isn't working properly. But I found good info. My motherboard is a P4ITA2 and I thought it might be my jumper setting but I checked and it in the right slots(3 pins slots 1-2 enabled). Does anyone think maybe the jumper might be backwards? Also, my dvd-rom is a samsung SD-608, maybe I need a better dvdrom model?

[Lucias_Clay]

A simple question from a simple mind What kind of speakers do you have?
Some of the cheaper ones work fine for bells and whistles but not for music and voices. Also have you checked device manager to be sure there is no conflicts? On board probably doesn't have a control knob on back but re-check volume settings. Good luck

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"It's not my fault!"

[robinson7]

I have a 3-set polk audio speakers that I brought from Circuit City for 49.95. I checked device manager and volume settings, they work fine. I want to be sure it's something else besides the speakers before I commit to buying anymore. This hobby is too expensive. So if anyone else has any ideas, your knowledge will be greatly appreciated.

[ranchdog]

The P4ITA2 Motherboard is made by ECS. Intel 850 chipset.

Just came from thier website. New/updated drivers are available for the on-board sound.

www.ecsusa.com (http://www.ecsusa.com)

Luck.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[robinson7]

Well after a long, long, battle with my computer sound, I figured it out for myself. It took me awhile but this is for all you people out there who may have the same problem with your soundcard. The settings were wrong. For this you must go into start/program/accessories/entertainment/volume control.
Go into options, properties and choose your mixer device, now choose your adjust volume for 'playback'(if you pick record, it's only for midi devices like a syntheziser), on the 'show the volume controls' click on everything then close. You should then be back on the volume control interface with several options to manipulate the sound---mute everything but the volume control and the wave. You should have your speakers sound crystal clear. It's amazing the things you can accomplish when you don't give up. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
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"roll with the punches, tomorrow's a new day! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif"

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[Whyzman]

And, there ya go! CONGRATS!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman