Sound is very quiet.

Computer Help and Discussions Hardware
1

Still trying to sort out a friends ME computer at work before he takes it home.

The last problem seems to be a lack of sound, it has an onboard VIA sound chip, all settings have been checked, but the sound is unusually quiet.

This is the case with windows sound schemes, CD playback, DVD playback, in fact any type of sound playback.

Is it going to be the sound chip or some setting I have overlooked?

I would really like to reinstall ME before he takes it home, but this is all depending on whether I can get the original restore Cd or a copy of ME.

Would a reinstall help in any way?

2

Make sure the master volume is not turned down. control panel>sounds and audio devices. If not that than the sound cards probably trashed. Tell your friend to go buy a cheap sound card ( you can find really really crappy ones for $15 or less). This sounds like an entry/learning pc anyway. So if your friend gets a year or two out of it he would probably want a new one anyway.

3
Make sure the master volume is not turned down. control panel>sounds and audio devices.

Yeah, and make sure nothing has mute check marked. You may want to try some headphones on the output jack as well just to make sure the soundcard is alright. Probably wouldn't hurt to check Control Panel->Device Manager->Sound, video and game controllers.

4
Make sure the master volume is not turned down. control panel>sounds and audio devices. If not that than the sound cards probably trashed. Tell your friend to go buy a cheap sound card ( you can find really really crappy ones for $15 or less). This sounds like an entry/learning pc anyway. So if your friend gets a year or two out of it he would probably want a new one anyway.

Yeah, and make sure nothing has mute check marked. You may want to try some headphones on the output jack as well just to make sure the soundcard is alright. Probably wouldn't hurt to check Control Panel->Device Manager->Sound, video and game controllers.

Checked everything that you have both suggested except the headphone bit, I will try that Monday.

5

And another possibility is to open the PC case completely unplug the sound card. Look at the line of connectors, if they're dirty (or just for the fun of it) cleaning them with a pencil erasing can help to remove any clag.

6

Check that you're using powered speakers. If your speakers don't have a light and/or a volume knob, then most likely your speakers are unpowered [well, the speakers should also have to be plugged into the wall outlet in order for them to work. If there's no wall outlet power required, then you're using the wrong speakers]. Onboard audio doesn't have an amplifier (especially VIA's). Get powered speakers.

7
Check that you're using powered speakers. If your speakers don't have a light and/or a volume knob, then most likely your speakers are unpowered [well, the speakers should also have to be plugged into the wall outlet in order for them to work. If there's no wall outlet power required, then you're using the wrong speakers]. Onboard audio doesn't have an amplifier (especially VIA's). Get powered speakers.

You done it again Dj, Thanks.

You seemed to be the only one to notice that I said it was an onboard sound chip, and you are right about the speakers, they are unpowered, I'll take a set of mine into work to try it.

8

I didnt even know they made unpowered computer speakers. Even the cheap piece of crap ones that came with my pc are powered. something to look out for I guess.

9

@ DjLizard

We're not worthy, we're not worthy!

You did it again!

10

Just to confirm, today I managed to try what Dj suggested, and it worked.