Computer Sound Problem

Potato Pete · 17-09-2009, 19:42

I have recently bought a Logitec LS21 speaker system for my computer, wich uses Windows XP. The sound is barely audible, I have tested the speakers using an IPod and they are OK.
The instruction booklet points to a problem with the computer's sound card. Can anyone tell me a way of checking the compatibility of my sound card and how to change/upgrade my card?
Thanks

Chris Frost · 17-09-2009, 20:33

Probably ask this question in the computer forum - or first use the search feature in that forum because questions like this get asked a lot so there's probably a ton of info there already without starting a new thread.

chrisjr · 17-09-2009, 20:48

First I have heard of a set of speakers being incompatible with a soundcard!

Are you sure you've plugged the speakers into the correct socket on the PC? The standard colour code is the green socket for line out. Try the iPod headphones in the socket to see if you can hear anything. If they make loads of noise then the soundcard isn't the problem! The wiring of a 3.5mm stereo jack is pretty standard, so if it works with the headphones it should work with the speakers.

If the headphones are silent then go into Control panel and open Sounds and Audio Devices. Click on the Audio tab and see what it says for the Default Device in the Playback section. If there is nothing shown drop down the list and see if your sound card is listed. Select it if it is.

And make sure the volume is turned up on the PC for both the main output and for whatever sources you are playing from. While on the Audio tab in Sounds And Audio Devices click Volume under the Playback drop down list. Make sure that the faders for main output and WAVE (if using something like media player or iTunes or streaming from the web) are both up at around 3/4. Also make sure there are no MUTE boxes ticked.

If there is no device listed then you have identified the problem. Go into Device Manager (Start -. Run type devmgmt.msc ->OK). Expand the Sounds and Video section and see if there is an entry for your sound card. If it has a yellow ! next to it there is a problem with the driver. if it is not listed at all then Windows does not know it exists. If the yellow ! appears try right clicking the entry and selecting Update driver or even Uninstall. If you uninstall you then need to re-boot and hope Windows sees the card again and installs the drivers properly. Otherwise a trip to the manufacturers website for updated drivers may be in order. If you know what make it is of course!

If it's a on-board sound chipset and there is nothing listed in Device Manager then it may be disabled in the BIOS. If it is a separate plug in card it could be faulty. For on-board sound go into the BIOS as the PC boots up and look for any settings concerning the sound chipset. If it is a separate card then sometimes reseating the card in the slot can retrieve the situation.

Pugwash69 · 18-09-2009, 12:49

As above, first make sure it's the correct socket. If you get the wrong one you might get some cross-talk from the nearby correct output, or you could be listening to rear surround outputs which some cards process as a quiet version of the front pair for stereo sources.

17-09-2009, 19:42	#1
Potato Pete Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8	Computer Sound Problem I have recently bought a Logitec LS21 speaker system for my computer, wich uses Windows XP. The sound is barely audible, I have tested the speakers using an IPod and they are OK. The instruction booklet points to a problem with the computer's sound card. Can anyone tell me a way of checking the compatibility of my sound card and how to change/upgrade my card? Thanks

17-09-2009, 20:33	#2
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	Probably ask this question in the computer forum - or first use the search feature in that forum because questions like this get asked a lot so there's probably a ton of info there already without starting a new thread.

17-09-2009, 20:48	#3
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	First I have heard of a set of speakers being incompatible with a soundcard! Are you sure you've plugged the speakers into the correct socket on the PC? The standard colour code is the green socket for line out. Try the iPod headphones in the socket to see if you can hear anything. If they make loads of noise then the soundcard isn't the problem! The wiring of a 3.5mm stereo jack is pretty standard, so if it works with the headphones it should work with the speakers. If the headphones are silent then go into Control panel and open Sounds and Audio Devices. Click on the Audio tab and see what it says for the Default Device in the Playback section. If there is nothing shown drop down the list and see if your sound card is listed. Select it if it is. And make sure the volume is turned up on the PC for both the main output and for whatever sources you are playing from. While on the Audio tab in Sounds And Audio Devices click Volume under the Playback drop down list. Make sure that the faders for main output and WAVE (if using something like media player or iTunes or streaming from the web) are both up at around 3/4. Also make sure there are no MUTE boxes ticked. If there is no device listed then you have identified the problem. Go into Device Manager (Start -. Run type devmgmt.msc ->OK). Expand the Sounds and Video section and see if there is an entry for your sound card. If it has a yellow ! next to it there is a problem with the driver. if it is not listed at all then Windows does not know it exists. If the yellow ! appears try right clicking the entry and selecting Update driver or even Uninstall. If you uninstall you then need to re-boot and hope Windows sees the card again and installs the drivers properly. Otherwise a trip to the manufacturers website for updated drivers may be in order. If you know what make it is of course! If it's a on-board sound chipset and there is nothing listed in Device Manager then it may be disabled in the BIOS. If it is a separate plug in card it could be faulty. For on-board sound go into the BIOS as the PC boots up and look for any settings concerning the sound chipset. If it is a separate card then sometimes reseating the card in the slot can retrieve the situation.

18-09-2009, 12:49	#4
Pugwash69 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The Sticks Posts: 3,720	As above, first make sure it's the correct socket. If you get the wrong one you might get some cross-talk from the nearby correct output, or you could be listening to rear surround outputs which some cards process as a quiet version of the front pair for stereo sources.

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Computer Sound Problem