No sound on my Dell Inspiron running Windows 7 64-bit

[ArtMurphy]

Had sound this morning but I noticed that when I listened to podcasts my speakers would not let me adjust the volume. Now I have no sound after downloading and installing Realtek audio several times from different sources, the last being this forum. Nothing seems to bring back the sound - any ideas?

 

[HAVOC]

Go into your sound properties, is headphone selected instead of speakers? Had this happen to me once.

 

[ArtMurphy]

No, I've never used headphones and my Realtek Audio just lists speakers/headphones - can't separate the two. Thanks for idea though!

 

[wither 2]

Click on the Sound icon in your notification area. Select Mixer. What is the volume set to for whatever software you're using to play audio?

 

[ArtMurphy]

sound at max all around

 

[wither 2]

If I did that they'd be blowing me out.

In Control Panel, Sound, click on your speakers and select Configure. Do you get any test sound with the different available configurations?

 

[ArtMurphy]

No, but I do have a curious problem. In my Realtek Audio properties under sound it lists the location as Location 2, and when I go into Levels under Speakers/Headphones Properties it only shows one of those speaker icons for the Microphone, Rear Pink In and Rear Blue In. I don't know what those are, but I do not have an icon for Center, Subwoofer, Rear, or Front.



So maybe I need to switch to Location 1 ??? How do I do that?

 

[wither 2]

In the Control Panel, Sound, when you click on Speakers and select Properties, which jacks are shown as connected? Are these the correct ones per the speaker manual? Ordinarily, the color of the speaker plugs are the ones you use. I don't know what motherboard you're using but, I'm not familiar with a pink speaker jack. On my motherboard, pink is used for the microphone.

Also, where do I go to get to the realtek audio properties? I'm using a sound card.

 

[wither 2]

I just looked at the specs for your system-

Back Panel Connectors - Dell OptiPlex 780 SFF Setup And Features Information Tech Sheet [Page 4]

It seems you would use the green (6) and blue/pink (7). It's kind of convoluted since it (7) shows blue/pink but I have no idea what it means.

 

[ArtMurphy]

I have 3 colors in a row Pink - Green - Blue. I have a green jack and plug into green, I don't know what the pink and blue are for I've never used them. But somehow the Realtek Audio has disabled my usable green main sound jack and is putting sound through the "Rear Pink In" and "Rear Blue In" channels and "Microphone". I have no audio icon for my "Center", "Subwoofer", "Rear" and "Front" (last two for balance). I'm using Harman/Kardon speakers and subwoofer. All was working fine a few days ago.


If you have an idea how I can get Realtek to switch from Pink and Blue to Center and Subwoofer? I'm lost and don't want to screw up my system further. I've installed the latest Realtek driver at least 3 times (I know, I know, don't duplicate a failure hoping for different results - ha, ha). Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[wither 2]

Would you provide a screen shot of the realtek hd audio manager screen?

Also, a screen shot of the Sound/Playback opening screen would be helpful.

I'm using a Logitech 5.1 system and have a 3 cable connection to my motherboard. If I was using the realtek audio, I would select 5.1 speaker in the manager Speaker Configuration. For stereo, I would only need 1 cable connection and, of course, would select stereo speaker.

 

[ArtMurphy]

Here's the screen shot - you can see that "center" & "subwoofer" have no speaker icons.


Thanks for your help!

 

[wither 2]

Go to Control Panel, Sound and click on your speakers. Select Configure. In the first screen, what type of speaker configuration do you have set? If you have Stereo selected, you won't see the subwoofer.

When you go to the next screen, make the appropriate selection.

When you're using realtec sound without a sound card and you select next, you should see a screen similar to this-



It's where you can make all kinds of adjustments.

 

[ArtMurphy]

I wish I had your choices. I just click on "Speakers/Headphone" Realtek Audio and have a choice of Stereo, Quadraphonic or 5.1 Surround - no choice of speakers. So bottom line is I can not make those adjustments.


Q - I see you are at Realtek HD Audio Manager - I do not have that, I searched for program. I searched for Audio Manager download and despite what is stated, the only thing I can find to download is the Audio Driver (which I've already done). So, is there a difference and if so how do I install Audio Manager?



Thanks W2

 

[wither 2]

The audio manager is included with the driver.

Depending on your speaker setup, you should see the speaker icons and be able to test them. Stereo should show two speakers, 5.1 would show 6, etc.

How many speakers do you have? Are you making the connections per the Harmon Kardon instructions? Does your subwoofer have an on/off switch? Is it turned on? Would you post the model number for your Harmon Kardon speaker package?

Go to Start, Search and run msconfig. Is the Realtek audio manager listed in the Startup tab and is it enabled?

Note that I'm going by memory in regards to the Realtek sound. I installed a sound card on this system and the realtek driver isn't installed. On my other system, it also doesn't use Realtek.

 

[erpster4]

are you sure you have a Dell Inspiron and not a Dell Optiplex, ArtMurphy?


The Dell Optiplex 780 does not use Realtek audio hardware. It uses ADI/SoundMax HD Audio hardware and the drivers for Analog Devices ADI 198x Integrated HD Audio are listed on the Dell Optiplex 780 driver downloads page (in the Audio section).

 

[ArtMurphy]

Yes, I can see the configuration in my Speakers/Headphones. I only have two speakers and subwoofer. No sound, of course, when I test. Problem is everything has been working for years and then suddenly stopped???



I do have the Realtek audio manager listed and enabled in the startup tab. In checking, no driver available or needed for HK695-01 Harman Kardon speakers.


Total frustration!! I read through previous problems w/Realtek and sound and could not come to a definitive solution. It "should" be something simple?? I need to see the audio icon on the speakers I'm using - per screen grab. Whats going onW2?
Appreciate your help very much. Art

 

[ArtMurphy]

Yes it is definitely a Dell Inspiron 3847 - per system properties.

 

[erpster4]

ah ok.


use any of the older Realtek audio drivers on your Inspiron 3847 (see driver downloads in Audio section). seems like it uses Waves Maxxaudio with the Realtek HD audio drivers and the bundled Maxxaudio software needs to be installed along with the Realtek drivers.


edit: disconnect the Harman Kardon speakers from your computer and try another set of Speakers to see if the sound works with another set


btw, my relative's old Dell Inspiron 580 uses Realtek ALC3220 audio w/ up to 7.1 surround sound though I have a pair of Dell AX210 usb powered stereo speakers connected to it.

 

[wither 2]

ArtMurphy- I'm confused. Your system specs show the Optiplex 780 and your topic says you have an Inspiron? I based my earlier comments on what you show for your system specs.

According to this-

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/...spiron-3847-desktop_reference guide_en-us.pdf

you have one receptacle for the speakers. It's the green one. As a result, you would plug the the subwoofer into that.

This website-

Dell Inspiron 3847 Desktop Drivers Download and Update – Support Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000.

provides a Realtek driver for your system.