I can't figure out how to get sound out of my computer - help! (MANUAL POSTED)

[javeryh]

This isn't really a software problem but it is a computer problem so here goes...

I built the computer myself and everything seems to be working properly except for the audio.  When I launch WMP to try and play a CD it tells me that the sound is either missing or not installed properly.  I'm trying to use the on-board audio with my motherboard.  I have the DVD-ROM connected with the ribbon cable, the power cable and the little 4-pin cable.

What needs to be done generally to get the audio to work?  I feel like I've tried everything (I even read the instructions!) but nothing seems to be working... 

Thanks!   

[langdoguk]

I've got the exact same problem , set everything up great and never thought the sound wouldn't work , then plugged speakers in the other day and the same problem as you ,I got a driver for the board but it won't install ?
I'm using an older board than you and thought XP would take care of it 

[TheDriver]

Does the audio within windows work ie. windows startup sounds and system notifications etc... ?

What's listed in your hardware manager for audio devices?

Regards.

[waveryder]

If it has REALTEK audio you should start by using the latest drivers from REALTEK not the built in XP ones.
Had problems myself with XP trying to install WDM drivers. Mind you it was an AC97 soundboard.

[javeryh]

Does the audio within windows work ie. windows startup sounds and system notifications etc... ?

What's listed in your hardware manager for audio devices?

Regards.

There is no sound whatsoever - even within windows.  I'll have to check what's listed in the hardware manager for audio devices - good idea!

Is there anything generally that needs to be done to get audio working?  I literally just guessed when it came to assembling everything - like if a wire looked like it plugged in somewhere in the motherboard that's where I put it.  The motherboard came with a CD of drivers - maybe there's a solution there...

[javeryh]

If it has REALTEK audio you should start by using the latest drivers from REALTEK not the built in XP ones.
Had problems myself with XP trying to install WDM drivers. Mind you it was an AC97 soundboard.

The audio spec is "Realtek ALC888" - maybe that's the problem!!  I'll be home in an hour to check it out.... I'm at work on a Sunday... grrr.....

Thanks for the help so far!!   

[TheDriver]

Realtek ALC888 is HD audio, I think the below link is the driver's you will need, not sure though.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=14&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

As waveryder say's XP's built in driver's don't seem to work, I had to get the realtek driver's then audio worked after that.

Regards.

[javeryh]

Realtek ALC888 is HD audio, I think the below link is the driver's you will need, not sure though.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=14&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

As waveryder say's XP's built in driver's don't seem to work, I had to get the realtek driver's then audio worked after that.

Regards.

I managed to install the "Realtek ALC888" driver that came on the disc and at least now there is a recognized audio device when I go to control panel - sounds - audio devices.  I don't get the error message when playing a CD through WMP either but...  THERE'S STILL NO FREAKING SOUND!!!  Nothing.  No windows sounds, music and, most importantly, nothing in MAME.  This is a little troubling to me because I think I should be able to get something, right?  I have it set up to a 2CH speaker configuration and I am pluggin the speakers into the "line-out" port on the motherboard (green).

I still have to try the link to the driver posted above though.  My regular home computer is completely fried and I don't have a wireless card for the computer I'm building for my cabinet so I have to DL the file at work and then wait until I get home to try it - what a pain!

Also, do I have my DVD drive connected properly?  I'm using the ribbon, the power supply and this little 4-pin wire thingy that I plugged into the motherboard (in the only spot it would fit).  I'd appreciate some guidance because I'd be mad if all this trouble was because I didn't connect something properly...

Thanks!!   

[TheDriver]

What is the motherboard and drive you have???

It will turn out to be something really simple, trust me!!!

Regards.

[javeryh]

What is the motherboard and drive you have???

It will turn out to be something really simple, trust me!!!

Regards.

This is my motherboard:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138074

I'm not sure about the DVD-ROM drive.  It's just a generic one I guess but shouldn't I be getting sound out of Windows and other programs whether or not the DVD-ROM drive is installed properly?

Thanks for the help.   

[csa3d]

stating the obvious, you've checked that the speakers are connected to the (green?) speaker jack (as opposed to mic), and that your system is not on mute?  Double check the audio software device just to be sure.

-csa

[Green Giant]

I might have a solution for you, but you won't like it.  I was recently working on my computer when I thought I pulled out a small cable that runs to the front audio ports on my case.  It was a ground, and it turned out it wasn't supposed to be plugged back in    .  Booted up and no more audio.  Blew something in there that controls it.  Needless to say I had a few choice words.

Then after a trip to Fry's, picked up a cheap $15 pci sound card.  Plugged it in, installed the software with it, works great again.

Moral of the story, if you don't know where a cable goes, don't bother plugging it in.  And after the onboard sound was blown it was still showing up ready to output on my computer just nothing came out.

[javeryh]

stating the obvious, you've checked that the speakers are connected to the (green?) speaker jack (as opposed to mic), and that your system is not on mute?  Double check the audio software device just to be sure.

-csa

Yes.  I'm not muted in windows, the speakers are on and plugged into the green port which is designated as the "line-out" by the realtek software (with an icon showing 2 speakers).

I might have a solution for you, but you won't like it.  I was recently working on my computer when I thought I pulled out a small cable that runs to the front audio ports on my case.  It was a ground, and it turned out it wasn't supposed to be plugged back in    .  Booted up and no more audio.  Blew something in there that controls it.  Needless to say I had a few choice words.

Then after a trip to Fry's, picked up a cheap $15 pci sound card.  Plugged it in, installed the software with it, works great again.

Moral of the story, if you don't know where a cable goes, don't bother plugging it in.  And after the onboard sound was blown it was still showing up ready to output on my computer just nothing came out.

Hmmm... you are right - I don't like that!  It's possible though... I was messing around with the jumpers (4 are designated as "speaker") and I'm generally not 100% everything is hooked up perfectly (I made guesses).  does my motherboard support a PCI sound card?  I'd definitely spend the $15 just to get it working at this point...

[fatfingers]

This will probably sound stupid but ...


Don't necessarily assume that "green plug" should go into "green receptacle".  I did this on my computer and was getting "tinny" or "mono-ish" sound which really annoyed me.  As it turns out, actually reading the manual  helped since it instructed me to put the green plug into (some other) colored receptacle.  After that, all was fine.

This may not be your issue.

[Green Giant]

Hmmm... you are right - I don't like that!  It's possible though... I was messing around with the jumpers (4 are designated as "speaker") and I'm generally not 100% everything is hooked up perfectly (I made guesses).  does my motherboard support a PCI sound card?  I'd definitely spend the $15 just to get it working at this point...

If you have an open pci slot to put a sound card in, regular not express, then it will support a cheap pci sound card.  This is assuming you are running windows since most of those cheap cards won't come with drivers for anything else.

[javeryh]

Well, the new drivers from the Realtek website didn't work.  It shows up as an audio device, I just don't get any sound.  I've tried all 6 ports on the back of the motherboard with no luck.  I checked all of the BIOS settings and didn't see anything related to audio other than the "HD Audio" setting which was enabled.  I tried disabling it but all that did was remove the "audio device" and give me an error message when I tried playing a CD. 

I guess I'll try grabbing a cheap-o sound card today and hope that fixes it.

[Tiger-Heli]

I recently had the same problem with my daughter's laptop - except sound used to work and stopped working.

If I remember correctly - deleting the audio devices, installing the correct driver, and letting XP find and install the onboard audio got it working (after several attempts).

My point is that your onboard audio probably does work, although buying a PCI card might be your easiest option.

[javeryh]

I recently had the same problem with my daughter's laptop - except sound used to work and stopped working.

If I remember correctly - deleting the audio devices, installing the correct driver, and letting XP find and install the onboard audio got it working (after several attempts).

My point is that your onboard audio probably does work, although buying a PCI card might be your easiest option.

Thanks.  I'll give that a shot (I'm open to anything at this point).  Is there a trick to "letting XP find and install the onboard audio"?  All I did was install the drivers from the disc that came with the motherboard and then I installed the drivers I downloaded from the Realtek website.  I didn't delete anything or do anything on top of that...  I rebooted the computer so the changes would take place but that's about it.   

[NickG]

if your mainboard has a front panel header and you are not connecting it to a front panel, then it may require termination.  There are some onboard sound designs that require you to jumper certain pins on the header to get sound out to the back connections when the front panel is not connected.

[javeryh]

if your mainboard has a front panel header and you are not connecting it to a front panel, then it may require termination.  There are some onboard sound designs that require you to jumper certain pins on the header to get sound out to the back connections when the front panel is not connected.

This sounds like it could be the problem.  Any way I can figure it out?  There are a bunch of pins (16) that the power and reset button from the case are connected to.  4 of them are marked "speaker" but I have no idea if anything should be plugged in here (nor do I have the right wire).  There are also 8 separate pins to connect the headphone and mic jacks from the computer case to the motherboard so I'm using those.  I'll see if I can find a pic of the board and explain what I've done to set it up...

Thanks!   

EDIT:  Also, would one of these work?  http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/micro/home.aspx  It's a USB soundcard or something.  A co-worker had one in his desk drawer for some reason and gave it to me...  Could save me the cost of a new sound card... 

[Tiger-Heli]

Disconnect the computer case headphone and mic jacks.  (especially Headphone).  Also try connecting your speakers to the black instead of the green jacks (last resort).

From the Biostar Manual:

JAUDIOF1: Front Panel Audio Header
This header allows user to connect the front audio output cable with the PC front
panel. It will disable the output on back panel audio connectors.
Pin
Assignment
1
Mic Left in
2
Ground
3
Mic Right in
4
GPIO
5
Right line in
6
Jack Sense
7
Front Sense
8
Key
9
Left line in
10
Jack Sense

But I had to view this in HTML b/c Biostar's page wouldn't let me download the PDF version of it, so can't tell you where that jumper is.

[Malenko]

This sounds like it could be the problem.  Any way I can figure it out?  There are a bunch of pins (16) that the power and reset button from the case are connected to.  4 of them are marked "speaker" but I have no idea if anything should be plugged in here (nor do I have the right wire).  There are also 8 separate pins to connect the headphone and mic jacks from the computer case to the motherboard so I'm using those.  I'll see if I can find a pic of the board and explain what I've done to set it up...

Thanks!   

EDIT:  Also, would one of these work?  http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/micro/home.aspx  It's a USB soundcard or something.  A co-worker had one in his desk drawer for some reason and gave it to me...  Could save me the cost of a new sound card... 

that speaker plug is for the internal PC speaker, for BIOS beeps and what not. USB sound card usually sound like crap but I havent tried one in years. It would theoretically solve your problem.

[javeryh]

OK, let's see if we can work this through...  I've attached the relevant portions from the motherboard instruction manual (I have the TF7025-M2 board).

Right now I've got the pins from the computer case connected to the JAUDIOF1 port on the motherboard.  I will remove this connection.

I also have a wire connecting the DVD-ROM with the JCDIN1 port on the motherboard.  I'm not sure what this does.

On page 3 of the attachment there is a pic of JPANEL1: Front Panel Header - I plugged the power button in here but there is nothing plugged into the "SPK" pins (1-4).  I have no idea what would go here as I do not have a matching wire to plug in...

Any help would be really appreciated.

THANKS!!!  

[BobA]

jaudiof1 is the connector for your front panel audio connectors.  Forget about jpanel1 it is only for your internal speaker in the PC to beep startup codes.  2 of the connectors are NC and the other is 5v and SPKR for you spkr connector on jpanel1. 

Check the connections from the front panel to the Jaudiof1 pins to make sure they are correct.

You could also disconnect the DVD audio cable since you do not need it for PC sound.  This makes sure that no cabling error in it is messing up your sound.

[Green Giant]

After looking at the manual you posted, forget about the speaker inputs on jpanel1.  Actually ignore that connection all together.  The speaker they speak of are usually really really small ones that just beap and used to make that annoying AOL sign on noise.

The Jcdin1 from the dvdrom is not important either.  You can leave it plugged in.

What you want is the JAudioF1 - front panel audio header.  There may already be jumpers on that one.  I am not sure what should be jumpered if they are missing as that portion of the manual, page 6, does not show alot of information.  The most important connections are the mic left/right in and right/left line in.  When you purchased you case it should have come with instructions or with labeled wires from the front audio connections.

I know on mine my case had an extra ground input coming off the front panel audio that actually did nothing at all.  I forgot about this and when I though I pulled out the ground I plugged it into I believe a 5V power line, or something like that.  Booted up and blew the onboard sound.

If you have yet to connect anything to JAUDIOF1 then you should be ok.  

Note, your motherboard will disable the output on back panel audio connectors if you are connected to the front panel audio header.  

[Bloodwyn]

Ok.. another easy check for you.

On my motherboard, it defaulted to Digital Output Only checked. You get NO sound if this is checked...
Make sure to uncheck this box.

Its under PLAY CONTROL , ADVANCED CONTROLS.



Bloodwyn