How does audio on motherboards remember the % it's on

vidya · 26 Apr 2012

Hey just a quick question, just trying to understand how everyting works in computer hardware etc.

I was wondering how does audio on a motherboard remember volume levels etc?
Even when I format my HDD and re install windows the volume always remembers what it used to be on like say it was 67%, I fortmatted HDD, install windows aagain, it's still 67%

I was just wondering how does a motherboard remember the audio % output without depending on a operating system

(it doesnt even forget the % after taking the on board battery out and in.

Was just wondering how it does this?

Maguscreed · 26 Apr 2012

A partial explanation is that the audio chip is separate from the rest of the board.
About the only thing you can do with it through the bios is to turn it off or on.

I don't recall ever encountering one that was as persistent as what you are describing though.
Generally a full power cycle WILL reset this, that would actually mean unplugging the system and pressing the power button to discharge anything left behind. Then firing back up.

vidya · 26 Apr 2012

I have a Asus intel 1155 socket P8P67 LE, I cant find any switch for it

Dwarf · 26 Apr 2012

You will find that if you change the volume level to, say 80%, that the computer will remember this level the next time you boot up. But you are talking about a reinstallation here. Audio drivers, be they the ones included in the OS or from the actual hardware manufacturer, typically have a default volume level setting, which just happens to be 67% in most cases.

alphanumeric · 26 Apr 2012

vidya said:

I have a Asus intel 1155 socket P8P67 LE, I cant find any switch for it

There is no physical "switch" to turn it off. There is an option in the BIOS to disable the onboard sound though. Its there so you can add your own sound card if you wish.