Have lost sound on Gateway DSM 350X (WVN) C&C Laptop -- HELP!! [Archive]

Eclectk1

04-05-2008, 08:45 PM

Hi folks,

I'm new to your forum but very very much hoping that you can help me with this problem as I rather desperately need sound out of this laptop. I'm running windows XP professional.

I've already checked all of the settings for sound and volume is up just fine, nothing muted, etc.

Have run thru the control panel troubleshooter for sound, with no success there either.

Have checked under device manager, and it shows that all devices are enabled and running fine -- including sound (sigh) -- with no conflicts or other obvious problems.

Not sure where I found it, but somewhere in control panels I think, found a sound and microphone check system that shows colored moving vertical bars as sound is detected by the system as supposed audio output or voice into the microphone (separate indicator for audio v. microphone) -- everything appears to be working fine there for both. Obviously its not, however, since I can't get any sound from either speakers or headset plugged into the audio output jack.

Used the gateway driver update page, and updated the sigmatel audio driver, still zip. On booting up, I do hear a brief "tick" or "chick" from the speakers, just the sound you hear when a brief electrical signal goes thru them, but that's it. Otherwise, nada, zip, zero.

I've spent hours trying to figure this out and am stumped. I'm rather stuck from spine problems in my neck and so I've been watching a lot of video on this laptop until suddenly the sound dissappeared..... so I could really use some help on this one!! I can't even figure out if this blasted thing has a soundcard or if the sound is on the motherboard.... or if either would even be "fixable" practically, if the problem is basic to the hardware somehow.

The sound dissappeared shortly after I installed the latest version of Real Player, and opened an online streaming video where there seemed to be a conflict between real player and divx for which was going to open the stream -- already tried uninstalling real player without success however, and suspect the timing was coincidental but figured I'd best mention it in case I'm off base there.

Any help would be most appreciated!!

awaj

04-05-2008, 09:11 PM

hey, welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif. Since you seem to have checked all possible things with the software, have you checked to make sure headphones work? Also, did you try un-installing Real Player to see if that makes any difference?

Eclectk1

04-05-2008, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the welcome and reply. :-)

Yep, headphones work, even tried a second pair just to be sure. Plus, even if headphones were bad, I'm still not getting sounds from the speakers.... although heck, at this point, I'd be happy to get sound just from headphones even if not from the puter itself without 'em.

Did uninstall realplayer, that was about the first thing I tried. Unfortunately, it didn't fix the problem -- then when it didn't help, admit I reinstalled it, maybe a mistake? Figured that if uninstall didn't help, however, then it probably wasn't the problem... open to correction there if you think I ought to uninstall it again if that might somehow help.

Eclectk1

04-05-2008, 09:44 PM

I'm sorry I forgot to mention it, but I also tried system restore to the day before sound dissappeared. When that didn't work, went back 2 days further with a second system restore attempt. Still no sound, so I undid that second system restore.

I also tried ccleaner's registry cleaner (which I'd been too chicken to try before I got desperate from the lost audio), but that didn't help either.

Eclectk1

04-05-2008, 11:11 PM

by the way, I got the DSM350X(WVN)C&C by entering the serial number into the gateway support page for determining what model you've got and it returned:

Model: Gateway DS M350X (WVN) C&C
Serial #: 0032705899Edit
Ship Date: 12/13/2003
Warranty Expires: EXPIRED

but the plaque on the bottom of the laptop just says its an M350WVN. Not sure why the difference, but in case this helps figured I'd add the info.

awaj

04-06-2008, 12:05 AM

I did a quick search for you laptop information, and found another post done by you. For future references, only use one forum. Many people who comment on the threads participates on multiple forums, and if you have several threads on different forums, then that means less time people can use to help others due to more time reading your threads.

now back to the actual problem. No damage has been done to your laptop. No spilling liquids, no abbuse, ect, right? If so there is 3 or 4 different places to control the speaker volume. I've had a hard time following where you checked for volume control so I'll mention a couple of them, or settings. (Control Pannel view should be set to classic view)

1) Control Panel, sound and audio device
2) Control Panel, Sound and Audio Device, Speaker Volume
3) Control Pannel, Sound and Audio Device, Audio (the tab) Volume
4) Control Panel, sound and audio device, Hardware (the tab), find your driver (for me, it was Realtek High Definition Audio), properties (the tab), Select it, and click properties, goto the properties tab, expand Audio Devices, select the one just below that, click properties, make sure "Use audio features on this device" is checked.

I think those are then top 4 places to look. Post how things turn out.

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 01:35 AM

Yes, I'd posted both here and at majorgeeks -- had assumed that there were likely different folks using different forums and I'd no idea if some forums were better than others. Sorry about that. Will stick to one in the future as you suggest, thanks!

Have double checked each of the spots you've noted, and they all seem fine.

Doubt this is important, but just in case: On the fourth item, under SigmaTel C-Major Audio Properties, it shows three items: Audio Devices which expands to Audio controller - SigmaTel CODEC and its properties are set to "use audio on this device". Second item is MIDI Devices and Instruments, expands to WDM-based devices, also set to "use midi features on this device. Third/last is Mixer Devices, expands to Audio Controller- SigmaTel CODEC, set to "use mixer features on this device"

Question: under sounds and audio devices properties, hardware tab, there are also "Audio Codecs" and "legacy audio drivers" and "Media control devices" along with some others related to video.... could any of these have something to do with the no sound problem?

Fruss Tray Ted

04-06-2008, 03:08 AM

Salutation to the Major!

Have used their site on many an occasion, esp on downloads! :)

Can you get into the BIOS area of your laptop?

In Windows a
Tried and true checklist is from the Run box (turn your speakers DOWN first, it's l-o-u-d )

Start, Run, Dxdiag

If working proper, you'll now wish e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g sounded this great! :p

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 04:59 AM

Now, that's a nifty run diag! Still no sound, however, & no music either. I tried several different acceleration settings also, still zip. Error msg was just:

DirectSound test results: Failure at step 19 (User verification of software): HRESULT = 0x00000000 (error code)

The music tab said: all tests successful -- even tho I heard no music from any of the four listed ports (tried each, but there's no option to tell it you didn't hear anything, you can only click "ok" regardless).

Retried them all with sound at full volume (had turned down to about 1/3rd initially from your warning). Same result.

I clicked on the "help" tab, and started thru its sound troubleshooter.... got to a point where it said:

===========================================

Are all necessary DirectX files installed?
If necessary DirectX files are missing, you might encounter problems when you run games or multimedia programs.

To verify that all DirectX files are installed

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type:
dxdiag
Click OK.
Click the DirectX Files tab, and then look in the Notes box. If all DirectX files are present and undamaged, the Notes box reports "No problems found".
If the diagnostic tool reports that any files are missing or damaged, install the latest version of DirectX from Windows Update. To go to the Windows Update Web site, click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update.

Does reinstalling DirectX solve the problem?
========================================

Which left me wondering if re-installing directx was or wasn't warrrented?
So I downloaded the installer but will wait to hear from you. Not even positive if this is the correct DirectX, but from windows update:

DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
Brief Description
March 2008
The Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime provides updates to 9.0c and previous versions of DirectX — the core Windows® technology that drives high-speed multimedia and games on the PC.

---------------------------------------------

File Name: dxwebsetup.exe
Version: 9.22.1284
Date Published: 3/13/2008
Language: English
Download Size: 10 KB - 218.0 MB*

================================
I tried to copy part of the DxDiag info report below but first tried the entire thing, then cut a lot of it out, but forum won't allow that large a post or even attachment (its 56kb txt file)... so let me know if there's some way or certain parts of it that might help and how I can get it to you...

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 05:04 AM

Oh! And yes, I can get into bios -- at least, if I reboot and use F2. Not sure if there's any other way. I'd looked there before, but didn't see anything about peripherials or audio.... could have easily missed it, however, as I'm not a computer person....

awaj

04-06-2008, 09:49 AM

I didn't know about the run thing either, but under the sound tab, it should play a sound and then ask if you heard it. the same thing happened for me a coupel of times. I am stumped though. as for the things you found a while back;
MIDI Devices and Instruments- Inputs for a music controller, thus isn't a problem. you could theoretically use your laptop to do some recording even though it doesn't have mic inputs.
Codex- they are the files that convert mp3, wma, wav, ect into what your computer can read and listen to. I am not sure how they work exactly though.

The other two you found, you may want to go through them.

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 04:26 PM

Right, that's what I was trying to say, that the dxdiag sound tab when tested says its playing a sound and asks if I heard it -- only I didn't, no sound, so I indicated that and copied the error message it then displayed.

I'm about where you are with the codex's, I know they're compression and decompression or algorithms for handling sounds I suppose from different sources, but that's about it for what I know about them or about how much trouble they may or may not be or how to even determine if they're an issue.

I'm not sure which two things you're referring to at the end tho? Where you say the two things I'd found earlier?

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 04:27 PM

Oh, and you'd mentioned the mic inputs -- this laptop does have a mic input jack, tho I know that's not involved in the sound issue.

Fruss Tray Ted

04-06-2008, 04:50 PM

The sound dissappeared shortly after I installed the latest version of Real Player, and opened an online streaming video where there seemed to be a conflict between real player and divx for which was going to open the stream -- already tried uninstalling real player without success however, and suspect the timing was coincidental but figured I'd best mention it in case I'm off base there.

Use Real Alternative (http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/real_alternative.cfm) instead.

Can you go back to a restore point prior to loading RealPlayer? Don't know if it will work but it may be worth the try.

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 05:13 PM

Hi Ted,

Did try a restore point that was the day before I'd installed Real -- when that didn't work, went back to one that was 2 more days back. Still no help, unfortunately. I undid that last one since it hadn't helped, but didn't see a way to undo the first so that's where I left it, at the day before I'd lost sound.

The only reason I'd even installed RealPlayer was because it allows downloading some streaming video that I couldn't figure out any other way to get. Gotta say I was leery of it because of worry about just how much it might collect/sell personal data.... Ironically enough it was to try to capture a 3 min clip of a harness horse race in Sweeden for a friend who actually bred and sold the horse that won. Got the clip, but not long after sound dissappeared.

Anyhow, should I uninstall it and use the real alternative?

What I don't get, is if this is a hardware failure, why isn't it showing up on any of the different control panel/device mgr things? Everything seems to show that its all working perfectly, only one little problem, no sound. Sigh.

Fruss Tray Ted

04-06-2008, 05:44 PM

awaj

04-06-2008, 06:13 PM

when I said "The other two you found, you may want to go through them", I meant the legacy audio drivers and Media control devices should be somewhere for you to check settings.

when I mentioned about mic inputs, I phrased that wrong. Midi is more for Key boards. you can do some pretty strange things with a keyboard if it has a midi in and a midi out, and your computer as well. (most only have a midi in though.)

I also just thought of something. under control panel, sounds and audio devices, check the Audio Tab. Make sure that the default device is set right. (even though you should have only one choice for the default device, it can't hurt to check.)

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 07:27 PM

I'm just taking blind shots here. It sounds like it is not hardware so we can only look to potential software issues.

Have you looked in Control Panel> Sound and Audio Devices? Is anything muted or not chosen properly such as the dropdown boxes in Playback? My system also has a Sound Effect Manager, possibly you have something similar that needs unmuting?

I've checked everything I can find that way -- lots of just chasing things around to try to find anything that appears related to sound, and all of them seem fine, nothing muted including what I think is something like (or identical) to the sound effects manager you mention & volume up to full on everything too.

Just uninstalled both realplayer and all of the divx stuff just in case, figured I could always re-install. Still no sound.

did you notice the earlier post, long one, that I'd posted about the run dxdiag? Wondering if there's any point in trying to re-install the directx and if so, if I've found the right one? (as shown in that longer post)

mjc

04-06-2008, 10:31 PM

Yeah, the March Update is the latest version of DX9.0c (funny way of naming it that MS has...but, as it is an 'old' product, I guess that is to be expected...)

Eclectk1

04-06-2008, 10:34 PM

Ok, thanks for conformation on it being the right version/download -- is there any point in my downloading and installing it tho from the dxdiag results? It didn't really say something was missing, just said: "DirectSound test results: Failure at step 19 (User verification of software): HRESULT = 0x00000000 (error code)" so it left me a bit lost re install or what I've already got is fine??

mjc

04-06-2008, 11:24 PM

I think at this time it would be a good idea to try a Linux LiveCD in this thing...most of them are pretty good with audio drivers these days, so it should detect/configure sound easily.

Eclectk1

04-07-2008, 12:19 AM

I think at this time it would be a good idea to try a Linux LiveCD in this thing...most of them are pretty good with audio drivers these days, so it should detect/configure sound easily.

Ok, sorry, you've lost me here -- what's a Linux LiveCD, and where do I get it, and is it free or cost??

mjc

04-07-2008, 02:22 AM

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

Personally, for this kind of thing, I'd stick with Knoppix or Ubuntu.

And yep free as in speech and as in beer...

Eclectk1

04-07-2008, 06:40 AM

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

Personally, for this kind of thing, I'd stick with Knoppix or Ubuntu.

And yep free as in speech and as in beer...

Kewl! Free is always nice. :0)

As to using one.... it looks like the sizes can be radically different -- do I still just download either the first Knoppix there or the Ubuntu? Will those work for windows xp pro os? Would it be possible for you or someone to step me thru how to use the thing once downloaded? My apologies also -- normally I'd do a good bit of googling and link following to try to figure out as much as I could, but I've had several cervical spine surgeries recently and I'm still really limited for how long I can stay sitting up (which really bites, to say the least). Otherwise, I'd be too busy being out and active to worry about whether the durned puter had sound or not. Rather trapped tho for a bit and so it sure would be nice if I could get sound back so I have some options again for things to watch while I'm stuck with this forced couch-potatoe-ism. At least that's one thing I can do while laying down rather than just staring at the ceiling or pickin' navel lint or the like. <g>

awaj

04-07-2008, 09:49 AM

Ok, you will need an ISO burner. Basically what that is a program that burns bootable CDs. I think Nero can do that. There is also a free program here (http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm). Then you download the Live CD for Linux. I suggest Ubuntu, which can be found here (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download). By double clicking the ISO file, I think you get the option to burn to CD. Once burned, put the CD in, and restart the computer. You will come up with a list asking if you want to boot into the CD, or install it or a couple other options. Choose to boot into the CD. Play some music, watch some video online. If those work, then it would be something with software related.

Eclectk1

04-07-2008, 11:25 PM

Thank you!!!

Ok, I downloaded the linked ubuntu one, checked the download before burning, and think I've got the LiveCD from Ubuntu properly burned. Now, however, when I restart the computer with the CD in, its still booting thru windows xp as it normally does, not from the CD. Do I need to reset something so it'll check the CD & boot from it or at least give me the option rather than still booting from windows? Or does this mean that I don't have the CD done properly? Maybe the durned thing copied thru the roxio easy cd creator rather than the iso burner? I had some problems that way, so I'm not sure if it was created properly, although it shows the right amount of space taken up on the CD.... if I look at the CD, it says its got the ubuntu-7.10-desktop-i386.iso file on it....

awaj

04-08-2008, 12:07 AM

mjc

04-08-2008, 12:07 AM

You probably need to go into the BIOS and set it to boot to the CD first, before the hard drive...

Although, it lists a single file, then no, it isn't burned properly...you've made a data CD with the file. You need to burn the 'image' as an image...

Think of the iso as a container, you can put it in storage as it is (burning as a data CD) or open it up and put the contents into storage (burn image)...most burning apps have that burn image setting.

Eclectk1

04-08-2008, 12:39 AM

you need an ISO burner, hence the second link I sent you. Just throwing the ISO onto a CD won't do a thing. you can check to see if you burned it correctly by trying to run the CD in XP. you'll get some menu talking about programs for Ubuntu and such that can be ran in XP. the Alex Feinman ISO Burner is the first link in my last post. I've had no problems with it. (It is also free.) Using that program, try burning Ubuntu again.

Right, I did download and install the lSO burner from your link exactly as you suggested, and tried to use it -- but wasn't sure if it actually worked, or if somehow roxio's auto CD creator interfered even tho I didn't open it.

Went to the CD, double clicked on that ubuntu iso file, and after a minute it popped up a dialogue/menu type box that said "CD Recording Wizard" in the title bar, with three parts to it -- a blue on blue abstract image taking up the left half of it, then a box labelled "source" with radio buttons for "image file" or "CD" and drop down menus for each based on which is selected.... under that, a second box labelled "recorder" with a button for "properties" and a drop down menu right after with D: non-blank non-writable usable in it.... NO idea if that's what you were referring to if it was burned right or ???

Anyhow, I'll reboot and check the bios setting as suggested by mjc -- the more I'm thinking as reading both of your replies and typing, I'm suspecting that somehow easy CD creator launched itself rather than the iso burner working, so I'll try burning it again too.

Eclectk1

04-08-2008, 04:18 AM

Bummer. Got the Ubuntu bootable disk burned correctly, and got booted from it, but still couldn't get any sound at all. Played around some in its device manager and the system preferences sound option, not sure if there might be any info from those that could be helpful? Or does no sound using ubuntu OS mean its definately a hardware problem? :'-(

Eclectk1

04-08-2008, 04:21 AM

Oh also -- I couldn't get the Ubuntu system to recognize my wireless (broadcom) card, so wasn't able to access internet while on it, but there were about 3 example files provided by ubuntu OS that were video and/or music clips -- they played fine, only without any sound & yes, I checked and turned volume up to max, still zip.

Eclectk1

04-08-2008, 05:24 AM

I was mucking around in my device manager a bit more, changed the "view" to each option for the heck of it -- Have NO idea if this could have anything to do with it, but on "view devices by type" and with "show hidden devices" I found that there is a single item with a yellow exclamation by it. Its under the expanded "non-plug and play devices" and is called "serial."

If selected, and then properties clicked on, on the general tab: it shows as manufacturer and location both unknown. The white box under those has "This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed (code 24). Device usage is enabled.

Then on the driver tab: "service name: serial" and "display name: serial" and "current status: Stopped" and "startup type: automatic" I tried switching the "stopped" to start (or whatever the option was along those lines) and don't recall exactly what the thing said, but basically wouldn't let me change it.

Then the details tab: there's a white drop down menu box with "device instance ID" in it, but there are a TON of other items in the drop down menu. I didn't try changing the selection there. Under that in large white text box it said: "ROOT\legacy-serial\0000"

Recall I said I found this in device manager with view set to "devices by type" (with show hidden devices).

If I swapped to devices by connection, I can't find this item at all (e.g., no "serial") and nothing with yellow exclamation.

Does this mean anything to any of you and if so, has it got anything to do with sound at all?

Next: if I view "resources by connection" the sigmatel c-major audio is shown (two instances of it actually) under PCI bus.... showing my ignorance here, but does that mean it IS on motherboard for sure, or that its NOT on motherboard? (or neither of those? <g>)

FTT

04-08-2008, 06:53 AM

the sigmatel c-major audio is shown (two instances of it actually)

This is possibly your problem. There should only be one set of drivers for your sound. There is likely a conflict happening.

Get your sound drivers ready and remove both instances from within Device Manager. Reboot and possibly it will report 'New Hardware found' If so, follow the prompts and install your drivers. If not, post back saying so.

We may need to go into Safe Mode to see if there are more 'ghost' drivers.

Eclectk1

04-09-2008, 04:01 AM

This is possibly your problem. There should only be one set of drivers for your sound. There is likely a conflict happening.

Get your sound drivers ready and remove both instances from within Device Manager. Reboot and possibly it will report 'New Hardware found' If so, follow the prompts and install your drivers. If not, post back saying so.

We may need to go into Safe Mode to see if there are more 'ghost' drivers.

Ok, so this is one area where I'm a bit unsure/confused/ignorant on how the entire device manager works or what it means, especially when in different view settings....

I mean, when I'm in it under "devices by type" with "show hidden devices" selected, there's only the single instance of sigmatel c-major audio, under the sound, video and game controller listing (along with 8 other items like audio codecs, legacy audio drivers, etc). BUT, I also find that non-plug and play driver that's got the yellow circle with an exclamation point in it, labelled "serial," along with the other info on "serial" that's shown as things like unknown, device not present or not working or does not have all its drivers installed" and so on as I'd posted above. So, what in the world is that "serial" thing and is it an issue?

and, second, if I swap the view to "resources by connection," then the "serial" thing w/ yellow exclamation isn't there at all, but under the expanded view of "input/output" it shows two PCI bus selections:
[00000000 - 00000CF7] PCI bus, and the second:
[00000D00-0000FFFF] PCI bus (I'm not certain if the first part is ALL zero's, or I think its 5 zero's, a "d" & 2 more zero's).

Both can be further expanded showing a lot of subcatagory items but its the second one that has duplicates of SEVERAL different things; sigmatel & motherboard resources & a few others; but each duplicate also has a slightly different number range in front of it.

So I thought perhaps the "duplicates" might not be actual duplicates but rather where the drivers function for different tasks or something?

So, in that initial expanded view of the second PCI bus, the first is:
[00001880-000018BF] SigmaTel C-Major Audio. The second:
[00001C00-00001CFF] SigmaTel C-Major Audio

If I go into properties for each, however, everything looks the same under all the tabs....

Then under "interrupt request" if I expand it, there's a sigmates there tho just the one. Also under "memory" there are a number of PCI bus's listed, and if I expand the [20000000 - FEBFFFFF] PCI bus, there are two sigmatels' listed there, these proceeded by [E0100800-E011008FF], and [E0100C00-E0100DFF]

So, does that [00001880-000018BF] vs. [00001C00-00001CFF], e.g., different shown ranges for each make having two ok because they're being called for different things or working for different aspects or parts of the drive/system or something like that?

I wish I knew how to just copy the expanded device manager tree to the forum here so you folks could see it -- I imagine that would be far easier to understand than me trying to describe it in typing.

Eclectk1

04-09-2008, 04:13 AM

Also, from earlier suggestions there are a few things that I've done but don't know what the results tell us....

1) I ran the start-run-dxdiag as suggested, and it all seemed to run fine except, of course, the fact that when it was doing the sound tests, I couldn't hear them. The dxdiag system showed that as an error, as I've posted with more details earlier (see post number 9 in this thread) -- but I don't understand if those results mean that I need to re-install directx or ??

2) I created and ran the ubuntu liveCD -- and still had no sound. I'd gotten the impression that a driver/software conflict wouldn't affect it if booted from the livecd -- is that correct and if so, does that mean that its definately a hardware problem and not much point chasing drivers and so on anymore?

3) I wasn't clear from earlier discussions if there'd been an answer to an earlier question I'd had: "Question: under sounds and audio devices properties, hardware tab, there are also "Audio Codecs" and "legacy audio drivers" and "Media control devices" along with some others related to video.... could any of these have something to do with the no sound problem?

Thanks again for all of your help!!!

mjc

04-09-2008, 04:28 AM

Eclectk1

04-11-2008, 02:06 AM

A cross-over problem between Linux and Windows usually indicates a hardwae problem. This is especially true if you had the audio mixer in Linux showing and had volume levels of something other than zero...although, many distros and ALSA (the basic Linux sound system) start out with the volume muted by default.

Sigh. I was afraid that was what you were going to say & what you'd meant when you were first suggesting the livecd. I was pretty sure that I'd had sound on when I booted with it, but rebooted it again anyhow to double check, and it was definately on.

So..... assuming its hardware then, do ANY laptops have sound cards or does this mean that its on the motherboard for sure? If a card is at all possible, how can I determine if it might be, and what would be a decent replacement? If there's no way its a card and its gotta be on the board, is there any way I can fix/replace the bad chip/part? Or any way to work around it with a card or anything else that isn't really expensive?? Or is the only fix a new motherboard (which, I assume, likely isn't anything close to cheap)?

FTT

04-11-2008, 07:00 AM

Though they seem a bit pricey, you can Google 'pcmcia sound' and find a few, including this one (http://www.amazon.com/Creative-PCMCIA-Blaster-Audigy-Notebook/dp/B00067KZJI) which seems interesting.

awaj

04-11-2008, 09:53 AM

Is your laptop under warranty?

Eclectk1

04-12-2008, 08:28 PM

Hi Folks,

Unfortunately, nope, out of warrenty for quite some time.

My brother (in another state from me) to his surprise, ran across a USB sound card that he thinks would work either with headphones or external speakers and is under $20 when ordered online. Maybe a workable option that's cheaper than the pcmcia thingy? I've no idea on how the two compare or if the USB sound card will actually work? I gather its got a jack in it for headphones and some way to connect speakers if wanted. Does that sound like it'd work? Pro's & con's?

I'd still be interested to know if those "duplicate" listings in the device manager are something wrong, or if that's typically how they appear depending on which view is used and/or if they're used by the system for different functions or something that way -- just for future reference & to know if there are other things that I ought to be trying to clean up on this computer or not.

awaj

04-12-2008, 10:55 PM

I thought you could get sound from headphones. If that is the case, then just plug in speakers to the headphone port. If you have multiple drivers, then that could be a problem.

Eclectk1

04-13-2008, 03:29 AM

I thought you could get sound from headphones. If that is the case, then just plug in speakers to the headphone port. If you have multiple drivers, then that could be a problem.

Nope, I lost sound entirely -- nothing from laptop's existing installed speaker(s), nothing from headphone jack either. I'd've made do with headphone if I could get any sound there, but that was gone too, dissappeared exact same time the internal speakers quit.

Will the USB sound card my brother found work? He said it'd only work with headphone or attached speakers, not the internal laptop speakers, but that would be ok for me considering the price diff between that and the other PCMCIA (SP?) card -- tho I dont' have a clue what the difference between them would be in terms of function and so on.

On the drivers -- if you'll scan back thru the thread, you'll see where they're talked about and my questions about if I actually HAVE multiple drivers, or if its just an issue of which "view" is used in the device manager making it seem as if there are multiples when maybe there isn't and its the same one being used for different aspects of the system or something like that. Point is, I don't KNOW, and don't know how to tell for sure, but would really really like to NOT start removing things & re-installing if perhaps there's no need and nothing wrong -- so I need help there to figure out if there's even an issue or not. I think I described pretty thoroughly what I found and where in those earlier messages about this issue.... tried to even copy in the display or attach it, but a screen shot was something like 55kb and forum limits to 19...

Ajmukon

04-13-2008, 10:45 AM

found and where in those earlier messages about this issue.... tried to even copy in the display or attach it, but a screen shot was something like 55kb and forum limits to 19...
post the image onto a free image hosting website:
then use insert image.

it will ask you for a link to the page that has the image.

Eclectk1

04-18-2008, 10:08 PM

Hi folks,

Two things primarily -- first, I'd received a private message from another forum member, and replied to it several days ago. I haven't heard back, and just wanted to be certain that they did receive it and it didn't manage to dissappear into one of the internet black holes. If it never arrived, please either send me a private note again or post here as you prefer.

Second, my apologies for the delayed response on Ajmukon's suggestion to post the image re possible duplicate drivers. Any sugggestions from anyone on the best/easiest free image hosting site in terms of how easy for me to figure out and quickly upload pics that way?

Thanks!!