tcswans
asked on
No sound from Sony laptop
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
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
ASKER
It may take some time to get this done, since I am very busy at the moment. Sorry. I may be able to work on it Monday. You'd think there would be a resident diagnostic program that could tell you whether the sound chip is working! Thanks.
Tim
Tim
ASKER
PCBONEZ --
Which site do recommend I download Knoppix from? I haven't ever burned a CD ROM before, so if I try this right now I might have a couple m,more questions for you, if you're still interested!...
Tim Swanson
Which site do recommend I download Knoppix from? I haven't ever burned a CD ROM before, so if I try this right now I might have a couple m,more questions for you, if you're still interested!...
Tim Swanson
Those should all be ISO images.
Read about ISO images in the 'help' for your burning program.
Read about ISO images in the 'help' for your burning program.
ASKER
Thanks, PCBONEZ
ASKER
PVBONEZ --
Does the medium have to be CD? Can it be a DVD+R or DVD-R?
-- Tim
Does the medium have to be CD? Can it be a DVD+R or DVD-R?
-- Tim
I'm not sure if this link will work but it is to a DVD ISO.
ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/knoppix-dvd/
This one is the actual file to burn [unless you speak German]
KNOPPIX_V5.3.1DVD-2008-03-
ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/knoppix-dvd/
This one is the actual file to burn [unless you speak German]
KNOPPIX_V5.3.1DVD-2008-03-
ASKER
PCBONEZ --
thanks for your help so far. I've downloaded (I think) the necessary files from the site you recommended in the previous answer. Since I'm a complete novice in this area (Linux, burning CDs) it will take a little time for me to the KNOPPIX up. What product do you recommend for the DVD burning? Is Nero good? Which version. Thanks. (Sorry to be a pain in the derrière.)
Tim
thanks for your help so far. I've downloaded (I think) the necessary files from the site you recommended in the previous answer. Since I'm a complete novice in this area (Linux, burning CDs) it will take a little time for me to the KNOPPIX up. What product do you recommend for the DVD burning? Is Nero good? Which version. Thanks. (Sorry to be a pain in the derrière.)
Tim
Personally I use Nero but that's mostly out of habit.
There are many others that are just as good.
There are even a slew of free ones that should do fine for an ISO.
Burning an ISO is not too tough for a program as far as burning goes.
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=dvd+burn+xp+pro&aq=0&oq=DVD+burn+XP&fp=_rpp-4zAm3I
There are many others that are just as good.
There are even a slew of free ones that should do fine for an ISO.
Burning an ISO is not too tough for a program as far as burning goes.
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=dvd+burn+xp+pro&aq=0&oq=DVD+burn+XP&fp=_rpp-4zAm3I
ASKER
PCBONEZ --
I've finally got Knoppix up and running. I get some (not much) sound from the VAIO speakers, but nothing from the optically attached attached Logitech speaker system. Can you give me some directions as to how to explore what Knoppix is doing in this area and how to control it? Is there something like the Windows Control Panel?
I've finally got Knoppix up and running. I get some (not much) sound from the VAIO speakers, but nothing from the optically attached attached Logitech speaker system. Can you give me some directions as to how to explore what Knoppix is doing in this area and how to control it? Is there something like the Windows Control Panel?
ASKER
PCBONEZ --
I've finally got Knoppix up and running. I get some (not much) sound from the VAIO speakers, but nothing from the optically attached attached Logitech speaker system. Can you give me some directions as to how to explore what Knoppix is doing in this area and how to control it? Is there something like the Windows Control Panel?
I found the Control Center. What do I need to do to turn on the external Logitech speaker system?
-- Tim
I've finally got Knoppix up and running. I get some (not much) sound from the VAIO speakers, but nothing from the optically attached attached Logitech speaker system. Can you give me some directions as to how to explore what Knoppix is doing in this area and how to control it? Is there something like the Windows Control Panel?
I found the Control Center. What do I need to do to turn on the external Logitech speaker system?
-- Tim
SOLUTION
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ASKER
PCBONEZ --
Thanks. Yes, I'll try to connect the Logitech to my old Thinkpad. I'll get back soon.
-- Tim
Thanks. Yes, I'll try to connect the Logitech to my old Thinkpad. I'll get back soon.
-- Tim
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Problem solved: it is hardware. Thank you.
(Runs from CD drive, don't have to install it.)
Change boot order to boot from CD and boot into Knoppix.
If sound now works your problem is drivers.
If sound still doesn't work you most likely have a dead sound chip or some related problem.