Solving Audio Problems

If the computer has audio features and you encounter audio problems, see the common causes and solutions listed in the following table.

Table 10-7Solving Audio Problems

Sound cuts in and out.

Cause

Solution

 

 

Processor resources are being used by other open

Shut down all open processor-intensive applications.

applications.

 

 

 

 

Direct sound latency, common in many media player

In Windows XP only:

applications.

1.

From the Control Panel, select Sounds and Audio

 

 

 

Devices.

 

2.

On the Audio tab, select a device from the Sound

 

 

Playback list.

 

3.

Click the Advanced button and select the Performance

 

 

tab.

 

4.

Set the Hardware acceleration slider to None and the

 

 

Sample rate conversion quality slider to Good and

 

 

retest the audio.

 

5.

Set the Hardware acceleration slider to Full and the

 

 

Sample rate conversion quality slider to Best and

 

 

retest the audio.

 

 

 

Sound does not come out of the speaker or headphones.

Cause

Solution

 

 

Software volume control is turned down or muted.

Double-click the Speaker icon on the taskbar, then make

 

sure that Mute is not selected and use the volume slider to

 

adjust the volume.

 

 

Audio is hidden in Computer Setup.

Enable the audio in Computer Setup: Security >

 

Device Security > System Audio.

 

 

The external speakers are not turned on.

Turn on the external speakers.

 

 

The audio device may be connected to the wrong jack.

Ensure that the device is connected to the correct jack on the

 

computer. The speakers should be plugged into the rear line-

 

out jack and the headphones should be plugged into the

 

front headphone jack.

 

 

External speakers plugged into the wrong audio jack on a

See the sound card documentation for proper speaker

recently installed sound card.

connection.

 

 

Digital CD audio is not enabled.

Enable digital CD audio. In the Device Manager, right-click

 

on the CD/DVD device and select Properties. Make sure

 

Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device is

 

checked.

Headphones or devices connected to the line-out connector mute the internal speaker.

Turn on and use headphones or external speakers, if connected, or disconnect headphones or external speakers.

270 Chapter 10 Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics