Computer Question

New version replaces the old version.

Surf

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Try going to the website of the sound board manufacturer and download their latest drivers for your sound card. Also, you may want to make sure the sound card is properly seated into it's ISA/PCI slot. It could be possible it's not making good contact with the motherboard slot. However, make sure to ground yourself against the power supply and unplug the PC. That may not be it...it's probably either seated correctly or not seated at all.

If you've done those 2 things, then you may have a device conflict with another piece of hardware or your sound card is flaky or fried. Let's hope it's made by a reputable manufacturer and not some generic, cheapo. You can replace it cheap and usually the non-savvy can follow the instructions with no problem.
Is the PC a Compaq? I've heard horror stories about the cheapo sound cards they used to put in their PCs. Plus, Compaqs' hav a history of misbehaving...usually right out of the box.

Good Luck. Surf

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[This message has been edited by Surfguy (edited July 12, 2000).]

 

First, check the obvious things, which are usually the ones that get you. Are the speakers plugged into the computer well. The wall? Are the speaker wires OK -- insulation good, and haven't been pinched in a drawer or something. If they have a switch, are they on? (Don't laugh -- my sister's cut mine off before, and I didn't realize it.) Are all of the volume slider bars adjusted up? Mute off?

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If you think the drivers are a problem, you might also try the "Window's update" feature on Windows 95 / 98. (This is helpful regardless.) Go to the Start button, and it should be located toward the top.

It will take you to Microsoft's website, compare your windows software against their "catalog." It will then give you the option of downloading (for free) a list of the latest patches and drivers for your system. They may have patches for holes, useful additions, or changes to make the system compatible with later versions of other software. It does have windows drivers for soundcards, etc.

This fixed a big problem for me when I had a conflict between Windows 98 (and My system's 10 months old?) and a new edition of Frontpage 2000. Would you believe the W98 install shield (in my computer) is not compatible with Office 2000? And the documentation is, of course, installed from the CD.

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Microsoft has also greatly improved it's troubleshooters, available from the "Start" button, "Help" menu, that could make some suggestions.

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One other big thing you might check is the physical connections. The fact that you have trouble playing an audio CD but are able to run one would indicate that the CD player is OK.

Does your computer make other sounds OK? Beeps, windows noises, etc? Realplayer audio? You can go to the Start button, then Settings, and Control Panel. Select "Sounds," then pick any sound (like "Asterisk") and press the play button, to check.

If this works, the problem may be the connection from the CD player to the Sound Card. The CD does not play audio CDs through the computer, like you would think it would. For this, it uses a a small wire which could easily become loose, that connects the CD player directly to the sound card. This has been a big problem on some models.

If this connection could be the problem, and your computer is still under warranty, take it in. If not, this is an easy thing to check, that you should be able to fix. (You'll have to break the warranty seal, so be sure!) This isn't difficult, just be careful around the cards not to bend any little wires, push around the cards, or touch the gold colored contacts. Computers are now built a lot tougher than you'd think.

Make sure the computer is unplugged, and touch something metal to discharge any static electricity. Remove the cover, usually by taking out a few small screws on the cover, on the back, and sliding the cover toward the back, then lifting it off.

The CD player should be pretty obvious (from where the CD tray is), but will probably be next to the hard drive, which looks similar. On the back is a gray ribbon like wire,an inch and a half wide that. That's not it -- it connects to the computer. There's also a small group of round wires with a connection that looks a little like the in line fuses on a car. That's not it either -- it's a power cable, and similar connections run to the hard disk and other parts of the computer.

You are looking for the third wire -- a small wire, maybe 6-8 inches long, straight, that looks like a smaller version of a short wire you would connect a wall telephone with. It goes from the CD player, to the soundcard. The sound card plugs into the main board of your computer, and connects to the back of your computer where the speaker / microphone jacks are, (and probably your modem).

Check the ends of this wire to make sure they are plugged in well. They just slide over the contacts. You might just look at the sound card to make sure it is well seated, and doesn't have any obvious problems. (You really can't tell much by looking at it.)

Let me know if this helps. Sorry for rambling!


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Stay Cool...

[This message has been edited by dc sports (edited July 13, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by dc sports (edited July 13, 2000).]