laptop has low sound output - have checked all settings

[sybariten]

I have a laptop that has a much lower audio output than it used to. Its a compaq Evo running XP, and now when i crank all settings to maximum i can still listen in headphones without it being too loud.
The problem started after somone else used the computer, presumably after he pressed the hardware volume settings on the laptop case.

I have checked the visble volume sliders available in XP, activated all settings i would wanna try, disactivated all line in and such. Yet the sound is very weak.

This goes for mp3 playback as well as video files.
The computer does have ac3 codecs installed, i reckon.

I have tried booting the computer into (knoppix) linux, and then the sound levels were high as normal, which leads me to believe that this is not a hardware problem, but perhaps some very well hidden setting in Windows, or some file that has been changed.

Any ideas ?

cheers

[johns0]

Have you checked Sounds and Audio Devices in control panel in the audio tab under playback and checked to see if the master volume control and wav controls are not set too low?

[offline]

moving you to the computer forum / mod offline

[sybariten]

Have you checked Sounds and Audio Devices in control panel in the audio tab under playback and checked to see if the master volume control and wav controls are not set too low?

This is on a non-english XP, but i take it you mean the same as dblclicking the tiny loudspeaker icon in the taskbar, and then choosing settings for "playback" (as oposed to "recording"), and checking all those sliders? (CD/phone/wav/master/line/etc)

yup, they are maxed ....

[sitlet]

i have the same problem with my compaq laptop. i had a thread going a few months ago i think. theres not much you can do about it. its not anything with the computer, its just the sound card doesnt have very much power. its a way for compaq to save money and to get a tad more battery life out of the computer.

[sybariten]

hi sitlet,
do you seriously mean that its because the computer doesnt have enough juice ?

Shouldnt really be the case here, as we are running the machine on the power outlet when whe have the problem

could you link to the discussion you mentioned?

thanks

[smearbrick1]

Did you make sure the speaker (external volume) volume was turned up? Usually there are volume controls on the laptop that control this. Also, make sure your sound scheme under your sound properties uses the correct speaker setup. If you are using a surround or some other type of setup other than the laptop schem, your volume may be significantly decreased

[ViRaL1]

On the mixer, check to see if there's an option for Advanced Controls under the Options tab. Mine does and there's a checkbox for 'Loudness'.

[gummyAvenger]

Doubt this will make much of a difference, but you could try going to 'Start->Control Panel->Sounds and Audio Device Properties'. Then in the "Volume" tab, there should be a section labeled, "Speaker Settings" and you'll see an "Advanced" button. If you click on that, it'll take you to a dropdown menu where you can choose what kind of speakers you have (ie - "headphones", "stereo speakers", etc).

[sybariten]

Did you make sure the speaker (external volume) volume was turned up? Usually there are volume controls on the laptop that control this. Also, make sure your sound scheme under your sound properties uses the correct speaker setup. If you are using a surround or some other type of setup other than the laptop schem, your volume may be significantly decreased

Yeah, we tried the external controls, it aint them either.
Iäm thinking maybe one could re-install some soundroutines from CD or something.

Thanks for your ideas, people!

[sybariten]

late reply:
culdnt find any solution to this, it was probably buried deep within the software/OS , so i re-installed the soundcard, that did it!
something was corrupt .....