My Sony VAIO (Model VGN-AR790U) has lost sound. This occurred about two
weeks ago (I have been too busy to so anything about it until now).
Recently I acquired a Logitech Z-5500 speaker system to use with the
notebook computer. After installation the external system worked very
well. (I had to get a new optical cable to make it possible to use the
optical interface.)
A little more than a week ago I was listening to a local FM station via
the net and left the system running while I went away for a couple of
hours. When I returned, the only sounds coming from the speakers were (1)
something like white noise (I thought at first it was applause),
alternating with (2) something that sounded roughly like kettledrums.
These two sounds alternated every few seconds. After reloading the Vista
operating system the audio experienced the same problem. A day or so
later, the audio was behaving normally, but later failed, apparently
permanently.
I get sound from neither the Logitech external speaker system or the
notebook's internal speakers,
The Sony customer service chat-room analyst had me download the driver
(REDAUD-139114000-US.EXE) and codec (STDAUD-14134600-US.EXE) software from
their site and install both programs. I did this twice: the second time
(at the behest of the Sony analyst) in Protected Mode. Still no sound.
All the volume controls I have been able to find are "up", and muting is
not in effect, either in the computer or the Logitech device control
panel. The Device Manager reports the Realtek High Definition Audio
controller and Sigma Tel High Definition Audio CODEC as "working
properly". The Audio page from the Control Panel, however, reports as
follows:
Realtek Digital Output (Optical)
Realtek High Definition Audio
Working
Speakers / Headphones
Sigma Tel High Definition Audio CODEC
Working
Digital Output Device
Sigma Tel High Definition Audio CODEC
Not plugged in.
I ran the Sony Quick Diagnostics program and it found nothing
non-functional.
Is the sound card fried? What am I overlooking?
-- Tim Swanson
