I can't hear The Office!
February 10, 2007 9:14 AM Subscribe
Why won't the speakers on my computer at work play at full volume anymore?
Lately the IT dept has been making lots of changes to the PC in office I work (it's an operator job with several people using the same PC within a day's time, btw). About 2 weeks ago, the playback volume suddenly decreased. I can only hear the sound on videos if the speakers are cranked to the max...and even then it's on the quiet side. This is a problem on all user's accounts, and not just mine. All the other volume controls within Windows XP are turned up completely, and I don't seem to be having this problem with music playback or other sounds, only on videos(which is annoying because I work 10 hour shifts and would like to catch up on my TV shows!). Everything is plugged in and connected properly and everything seems to be in order.
I noticed that there is a new program installed called SoundMAX, but when I try to run it's control panel, Windows tells me "No SoundMAX audio present. You cannot use SoundMAX control panel." There's also something called Powertoys for Windows XP with a Tweak UI program which is also new, but doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. I'd really like to fix this myself as the IT dept. is really clueless (esp. if they're installing this crap) and really doesn't feel it's a priority for our speakers to be working properly.
Lately the IT dept has been making lots of changes to the PC in office I work (it's an operator job with several people using the same PC within a day's time, btw). About 2 weeks ago, the playback volume suddenly decreased. I can only hear the sound on videos if the speakers are cranked to the max...and even then it's on the quiet side. This is a problem on all user's accounts, and not just mine. All the other volume controls within Windows XP are turned up completely, and I don't seem to be having this problem with music playback or other sounds, only on videos(which is annoying because I work 10 hour shifts and would like to catch up on my TV shows!). Everything is plugged in and connected properly and everything seems to be in order.
I noticed that there is a new program installed called SoundMAX, but when I try to run it's control panel, Windows tells me "No SoundMAX audio present. You cannot use SoundMAX control panel." There's also something called Powertoys for Windows XP with a Tweak UI program which is also new, but doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. I'd really like to fix this myself as the IT dept. is really clueless (esp. if they're installing this crap) and really doesn't feel it's a priority for our speakers to be working properly.
Audi=Audio
posted by nj_subgenius at 9:37 AM on February 10, 2007
posted by nj_subgenius at 9:37 AM on February 10, 2007
Response by poster: I wish it were that simple! SoundMax is the only Audio Playback choice. Like I said, I've gone through all the settings within Windows. I think the problem is with one of those two programs, but I don't know how to get around it as I don't have Admin privileges.
posted by messylissa at 9:56 AM on February 10, 2007
posted by messylissa at 9:56 AM on February 10, 2007
OK, make and model, then, as requested
posted by nj_subgenius at 10:16 AM on February 10, 2007
posted by nj_subgenius at 10:16 AM on February 10, 2007
Response by poster: OK, make and model, then, as requested
I wish it were that simple! It looks as if this is something scrapped together by IT...nothing like a Dell, an HP, or a Vaio. The only info the tower is giving me is that it has a Pentium 4. The speakers are some cheap pair by Advent that were probably in the reject pile. We get all the leftover crap in this office since we're "only" the operators.
posted by messylissa at 10:32 AM on February 10, 2007
I wish it were that simple! It looks as if this is something scrapped together by IT...nothing like a Dell, an HP, or a Vaio. The only info the tower is giving me is that it has a Pentium 4. The speakers are some cheap pair by Advent that were probably in the reject pile. We get all the leftover crap in this office since we're "only" the operators.
posted by messylissa at 10:32 AM on February 10, 2007
Sounds like you have an opinion here ;-) So you are using a white-box PC? Without a make and model we can't help you determine what drivers your IT dept should install (without admin you're kinda screwed as you know anyway). But - if those are really crap speakers, they're powered by only the onboard audio. Get a pair of amplified speakers then, which you can get for cheap. Job done, if you want to take matters into your own hands.
*waiting for next 'I wish it were that simple' response*
posted by nj_subgenius at 11:32 AM on February 10, 2007
*waiting for next 'I wish it were that simple' response*
posted by nj_subgenius at 11:32 AM on February 10, 2007
Response by poster: Ah, you caught me repeating myself. I'm mostly looking for a quick something I might have overlooked so that I can enjoy watching videos of The Office online...err, watching very important work-related videos, that is. I've already sent in a work order, but I'm out of luck until Monday.
posted by messylissa at 12:17 PM on February 10, 2007
posted by messylissa at 12:17 PM on February 10, 2007
Stay strong!
posted by nj_subgenius at 12:30 PM on February 10, 2007
posted by nj_subgenius at 12:30 PM on February 10, 2007
You could see if there's more than one audio output on the soundcard. There's a chance they plugged it into a non-amplified output (line out as opposed to audio out, or whatever) and that the speakers simply aren't getting as much juice as they did previously.
posted by mmcg at 1:56 PM on February 10, 2007
posted by mmcg at 1:56 PM on February 10, 2007
Maybe the power gave out on the speakers. Try bringing in a pair of earphones to test it. If the earphones work fine, then you need new speakers.
posted by mwang1028 at 2:00 PM on February 10, 2007
posted by mwang1028 at 2:00 PM on February 10, 2007
Errrr nevermind, sorry... I missed the part of the question about it working fine with music and stuff.
posted by mwang1028 at 2:01 PM on February 10, 2007
posted by mwang1028 at 2:01 PM on February 10, 2007
Is Real Player installed? If you play something in Real Player and turn the volume down in real player and then close the player without turning the volume back up it will cause all audio output to be at a low level. Open real player and turn the volume back up. And then try and get rid if Real Player.
posted by Justin Case at 7:51 AM on February 11, 2007
posted by Justin Case at 7:51 AM on February 11, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
Try this (assuming XP):
1) Go the the control panel and select Sound and Audio devices
2) Select the Audio tab and, under Audi Playback, see what devices you can choose.
3) If you can de-select the SoundMax device and select another, do so unless you see something cheesy like a modem or PC speaker selection.
4) Lastly double-check the Advanced settings. Set the speakers for Desktop and set performance to Full.
If there is no joy from these let us know the make and model of your machine.
posted by nj_subgenius at 9:36 AM on February 10, 2007