No Sound From Laptop

[Dave R.]

Not sure what I may have done, but I no longer get sound from my PC laptop. Either with built in speaker or head phones. Just curious what I should look for to troubleshoot the problem. I downloaded Quicktime again to make sure it was up to date, but obviously that isn't enough. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I really wanted to revisit the tutorial's that worm324 offers on HDR. Thanks in advance.

[nubz]

Are you running XP? I had the same issues with mine years ago. The drivers would just disappear for a few days then reappear a few days or weeks later. I never did find out why but my guess was a virus. This was a big reason I went to Mac. I've had some friends that this has happened to as well. The problem (for me)was it had a driver but it wouldn't recognize it or let me re-install it. I hope you get it sorted.

[bill_w]

Not a pc expert here, but first what type of laptop and OS are you running?

The first part would be to check the volume control panel. Double click on the speaker icon in the systems tray. Make sure the volume controls are up and none are checked as mute.

Next I would check hardware profiles. Right click on "my computer" either on desktop or in program list. Click "hardware" tab, then click "device manager". Are there any red x's or yellow ?'s or !'s. If so, then will need to further delve into them individually

[KmH]

Originally Posted by nubz

The drivers would just disappear for a few days then reappear a few days or weeks later. I never did find out why but my guess was a virus. This was a big reason I went to Mac.

This would make a good Perry Mason TV episode:

The Case of the Disapperaring Drivers

[Dave R.]

Originally Posted by KmH

This would make a good Perry Mason TV episode:

The Case of the Disapperaring Drivers

Kind of dating yourself aren't you. I know, because I can relate.

[swampler]

Don't laptops generally have volume and mute buttons on the laptop as well as the software volume/mute controls? I would check both of those to make sure you haven't just overlooked a muted volume.

[Dave R.]

Originally Posted by bill_w

Not a pc expert here, but first what type of laptop and OS are you running?

The first part would be to check the volume control panel. Double click on the speaker icon in the systems tray. Make sure the volume controls are up and none are checked as mute.

Next I would check hardware profiles. Right click on "my computer" either on desktop or in program list. Click "hardware" tab, then click "device manager". Are there any red x's or yellow ?'s or !'s. If so, then will need to further delve into them individually

The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 5100 running XP. I did as you suggested in device manager and found that everything is running correctly. I went to Dell's site and tried to download the latest audio driver but had no luck with that. I also checked the volume control as the very first thing when this started. Maybe another trip to Dell to see if anything else might be needed for download. I have also run a virus scan and came up empty there. Thanks for the ideas. Much appreciated.

[nubz]

have you rebooted? Many times that would fix my issue. sometimes I would have to do it a couple times though.

[Dirk]

perhaps a dumb question but i happened to me too.. you did not mute the volume output?
there should be a speaker symbol in systems tab, check wheter the controls are enabled ..

otherwise check that in the bios if the soundcard is enabled , i once had to run a bios update from dell after that the laptop was screwed .. no i only use toshiba , even for "old" systems they still keep the drvers downloadable..

cheers dirk

[Gna]

Originally Posted by Dirk

perhaps a dumb question but i happened to me too.. you did not mute the volume output?
there should be a speaker symbol in systems tab, check wheter the controls are enabled ..

otherwise check that in the bios if the soundcard is enabled , i once had to run a bios update from dell after that the laptop was screwed .. no i only use toshiba , even for "old" systems they still keep the drvers downloadable.

Agree with Dirk: check your mute setting.
Or get a Mac. You'll never go back.

[Dave R.]

Originally Posted by Dirk

perhaps a dumb question but i happened to me too.. you did not mute the volume output?
there should be a speaker symbol in systems tab, check wheter the controls are enabled ..

otherwise check that in the bios if the soundcard is enabled , i once had to run a bios update from dell after that the laptop was screwed .. no i only use toshiba , even for "old" systems they still keep the drvers downloadable..

cheers dirk

OK, I did as suggested those things I know how to do. Checking bios isn't one of them. In device manager everything is claimed to be working fine, no mute buttons are on in any of the three locations I could find to do that, and for whatever reason I can't download from Dell any drivers. The laptop gets used rarely so it's more of a inconvenience than anything. I'll take it to work later this week and let one of the IT guys play with it. Thanks for the ideas. Even the one about going Mac. Thats an idea I have pondered for some time. As much as I dislike Microsoft CRAP, the cost for doing so hasn't made it worth it just yet.

[timothynnewman]

try reinstalling your sound driver. or maybe your XP is corrupted.

happy halloween!!

CardFunk - Funky Holiday Card Created by Timothy

[db83]

Windows XP SP3 has an issue with some on-board audio cards. The drivers for some on board audio cards do not work with it. Did you recently install SP3?

[Gna]

Originally Posted by Dave R.

[...] going Mac. Thats an idea I have pondered for some time. As much as I dislike Microsoft CRAP, the cost for doing so hasn't made it worth it just yet.

Maybe this will tip your scale:


The latest and greatest operating system is actually slower than its predecessor...!

[Dave R.]

Originally Posted by db83

Windows XP SP3 has an issue with some on-board audio cards. The drivers for some on board audio cards do not work with it. Did you recently install SP3?

That is correct. I don't use the laptop unless traveling. While away this past weekend and connecting to the internet, I got that awe inspiring notice to update to SP3. i started the download and for some reason it would not complete. I had not tried for sound prior to that point, so maybe that is the problem. Is there a way to attempt downloading SP3 again, or better yet, get rid of it?

[Dave R.]

Originally Posted by Gna

Maybe this will tip your scale:


The latest and greatest operating system is actually slower than its predecessor...!

Do you by any chance work for Apple? Just curious how someone can be so passinate over a computer system unless some thing is to be gained by it. Not being an arse here. I really am curious.

[camrajoky]

You can go to MS site and get the download.....also see if there are new drivers there for Dell to work with the update....you can search on there site for them.

[Dave R.]

Unless there is something more I can do, I must have a bad sound card. I've checked the mutes, control panel settings, re-loaded the drivers that came with the laptop and downloaded from Dell's site the latest updates. Still no sound. Thanks everyone that had suggestion and tried to assist. I appreciate your help.

[RLR]

I have the same computer look in your tool bar on the bottom of your screen you should see a wrench icon click it. I just received a massage form dell about a problem with the sound. I think if you click the wrench it might help tell you hoe to fix it.

Good Luck!!

[Dave R.]

Thanks RLR. I don't have the wrench you mentioned, but that did lead me to a Dell diagnostics site. Bottom line it is working again. Found one setting that was not checked.