System sounds are very low

AnnJ · 13 Jun 2011

Hi,
I've been having problems with sound issues in this 3 month old system since day one and have searched here for days for a possible solution. I've tried all of the suggestions to no avail. My system sounds (on the volume mixer bar) never go higher than 10-15%. Media Player seems OK but not great volume. Internet sounds (You tube) reach around 50%.

I noticed a windows (optional update) this month is for a new driver for my Soundblaster card from Creative and I am thinking maybe I should try that first before further exploring.... BUT, I notice the new driver is released in August of 2009!!!! but published 6/2/2011. Is that possible?

My current driver is dated May 2009. Gee... was Creative on strike for 2 years?

Since the new driver is 41mb, I am assuming it will install a new control panel. My question, at the moment

... is, if I have to roll back the driver because it's worse, will I automatically get back my control panel?

I've never dealt with drivers, sound cards etc... and very shy about all of this. I really appreciate any help I can get. The Creative forums were pathetic (in my humble opinon) as 1,000's of posts never get responses.

Thanks,
Ann

Maguscreed · 13 Jun 2011

I suggest completely disabling any audio device you are not actually using for starters.

To do this click on the device, for instance the ati output
click the properties button, and at the bottom of the window that opens use the dropdown to disable the device.
It appears you are also not using the built in realtek device. The ideal thing to do here would be to disable the onboard audio in the system bios.
But following the above mentioned steps should do essentially the same thing.

If you aren't scared of your bios settings going in there and disabling the onboard audio would be best.

You do want to leave the x-fi stuff on, as that is your main audio device.

AnnJ · 13 Jun 2011

Hi and thanks...
I disabled them but no change as yet... Do I have to restart for it to be effective? As you can see, I'm soundology 101 DUMB!

Ann

Maguscreed · 13 Jun 2011

you can also remove speakers (realtek high definition audio)

Once we get to that step we can start focusing on the actual properties of the two that are left.

AnnJ · 13 Jun 2011

Done!

Maguscreed · 13 Jun 2011

okay now just to be specific can you tell me what speakers you are dealing with, and are we certain the normal volume level is at high? (the thing you get when you click the tray speaker)

AnnJ · 13 Jun 2011

The speakers are....Dell AX210 Speaker 2.0 1.2W

Yes, volume in tray set to 100. I also set it to 100 in Speakers panel. All in tray set to 100... Speakers, system sounds, IE and whenever I open an application I check to see that it is at 100...

Maguscreed · 13 Jun 2011

Those aren't exactly loud speakers to begin with.

Have you set up the x-fi for stereo sound?
My next thought is that the high end audio card may be defaulting to a 5.1 or even 7.1 sound set up. This would lose you a lot of volume from the left and right channels. It also wouldn't hurt to click configure and make sure it's set for stereo in the default audio config.

AnnJ · 13 Jun 2011

Oops... you lost me on this one... Where do I go to do that? I don't see "stereo" as an option anywhere. I sure don't mind if I have to get new speakers ... if I have to but I wouldn't even begin to know how to install em. (I'm telling too much, huh?)

AnnJ · 13 Jun 2011

I'm having problems with my keyboard and mouse.... couldn't type in here without changing editor mode. Also my mouse wheel isn't working. This all happened after I typed my last post to you....

Also, everything is getting highlighted when I try to click on things... Just went to open Word and all my desktop icons highlighted as I clicked on WORD

Think I should restart this machine or what?