Onboard Speakers Only Play One At A Time

[Typical Nerd]

Hello!

I had an issue recently where I upgraded from OEM Vista x86 to Windows 7 Professional x86. There was very little sound coming from the internal speakers. I also had major BSODs from then, so obviously I was focusing my attention on the BSODs as a priority.

That issue has been resolved, however, or, at least, I implemented a workaround - reinstalling Vista. I no longer have BSODs.

The audio, however, is still extremely quiet. I've checked the following:

Went into properties and maximised the 'levels' on everything.

Went into volume mixer and maxed everything.

Went into Devmgmt.msc and tried updating drivers - drivers already up-to-date.

SOMETHING I HAVE NOTICED: I have two internal speakers as well as what I guess is a subwoofer (I'm sorry, I'm terrible with hardware - its icon looks like a box server or something. I'm currently at work so I'll upload screenshots when I get home).
ONLY ONE SPEAKER PLAYS AT A TIME. I can change between the speakers by right clicking and saying "set as default speaker" and that plays sound out of one at a time with no problems, unless I choose the subwoofer(?).

Is there a way to make both speakers play at the same time, instead of just using one of them?

All help appreciated!

 

[fireberd]

Without knowing what kind of speakers and how they are connected, we can't really comment on the problem. More info is needed.

Normally, if the speakers are connected correctly both to the PC and internally in the speaker system, you can 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 and then you can click on Configure to configure the type of speaker system you have and also test the speakers.

 

[Typical Nerd]

Thanks, I'll try that when I get home.

They're the default internal speakers for the Fujitsu Siemens Amilo XI 2528 - internal Realtek HD Audio or something, I believe. Sorry I can't be certain until I get home and check MSInfo32 or something, I'll get back to you with a more certain answer when I get home.

 

[fireberd]

Oh, its a Laptop(?). They normally only have two speakers in them.

As you reinstalled Vista, did you install all the (correct) Fujitsu Siemens drivers? Make sure you have the correct sound driver - generic Windows installed HD Audio Codec drivers may not work, you need Vendor provided for proper operation.

 

[Typical Nerd]

Yep, it's a laptop.
I have to be honest, I just opened Device Manager and let it automatically update the drivers. It could even be that it's trying to use a Windows 7 driver on Vista as that was the previous OS. When I get home I'll install the vendor's drivers.
Thanks again.

 

[Typical Nerd]

Awesome - sorted. Thanks a lot.

For the benefit of others, you need to MANUALLY install the correct audio driver online via the website; DO NOT just let Windows automatically search for it. I updated the driver and allowed it to reboot, then the two different speakers were merged into one icon in volume properties and both speakers are now playing simultaneously.

 

[fireberd]

Thanks for the feedback and that it fixed it.