Windows 7: Really odd sound problem!

Hi Guys,



One day my sound was working fine, and then after spending a long day of sound editing (with headphones in) sound suddenly stopped working from the internal speakers.

Sound works from my headphones when they are plugged in but not my speakers and drivers are working properly. Now, here is the odd thing... whenever I change the volume for the 'Independant Headphones' from the sound panel, the sound works fine from the speakers with no problem for about 2-3 seconds! The default is currently set to 'Speakers and Headphones'. I have tried unplugging and replugging headphones to make sure the jack switch is reset in both slots, still no luck!

How can I solve this?

Thanks
Joe

What "sound editing" were you doing? I don't know whether that will make a difference, but it should have been reported (I have a home recording studio using Sonar X1 and Pro Tools). Also what sound chip do you have? e.g. RealTek, IDT, etc.

Some general suggestions, (1) Check he sound device in the Device Manager. It should list what hardware device you have (such as RealTek), if it only shows the generic Windows installed "HD Audio Codec" that means you do not have the sound driver installed for your hardware and in that case, install the correct sound driver from your PC Vendor.

(2) If the correct sound driver is installed, in the Device Manager, RIGHT click to highlight the entry for the sound device and then LEFT click "Uninstall" DO NOT check the box to uninstall the drivers. Restart the PC and when Windows starts it will detect and reinstall the sound device. Check to see if this fixed it.

(3) Finally, even if you have the correct sound driver, reinstall the latest sound driver from your PC Vendor.

Thanks for all your help firebird.

I was just overlaying and splicing audio on Adobe AfterEffects for a film, so nothing that could change anything

I have "IDT High Definition Audio CODEC". Forgot to add that I am using a HP Envy Beats Laptop.

I have followed all your instructions above and am still in the same position, only that now I don't get sound when I change the volume for the 'Independant Headphones' for 2-3 secs...

Any more ideas?

I've seen several posts of various problems with the Beats software. That may be where your problem is (?)

Even with the Beats software/driver uninstalled and a usual HP IDT Driver installed, it still has the same problem :S

Did you restart the PC after uninstalling the Beats software? If not, give that a try. It has to be rebooted to fully remove it.

Also, go to the Control Panel/Hardware and Sound and finally the Sound Panel, Playback section. Your "Speakers" should be set as the default playback device. If not, set the speakers as the default and see if that changes or fixes it.

Just done that too, still no luck. Have the random 2-3 seconds of sound when I move the 'Independant Headphones' slider up and down again though. This is doing my head in lol, there is no logical reason for this!

Try this, just to see. Go to the Sound Panel/Playback. Click to highlight the speaker icon then click on the Configure botton at the bottom. Check to see if the correct speaker type is set and then click Test and see if you get the test tones from the speakers.

Also what is model/type of headset? Is it a standard analog type that you plug into the headphone jack, or it is a USB type?

In the Configure panel, the only option was 'Stereo' (which I'm guessing is correct?), no test sounds could be heard . I am only using analog headphones which plug into the jack. My only other thoughts to this problem could be the switches inside the jack that was screwing up, however I tried to eliminate this by pulling the headphones in and out.

Unfortunately, without disassembling the PC to check, there is no way to know if there is a mechanical problem and even then you may not be able to determine what is happening. I'm afraid at this point it may have to go to a (reliable) PC repair shop to get the problem resolved.