System sounds are very low

[AnnJ]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Done!

 

[Maguscreed]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

 

[AnnJ]

Well.... all that stuff stopped and it looks like I can scroll now and could type here without changing editor modes.

 

[Maguscreed]

yeah don't know what happened there you should be able to just go back into the playback settings panel click on the remaining item and click configure.

 

[Coke Robot]

I suggest, if Windows allows, going to Playback devices, click on the default device, and click on Properties near the bottom the window. That'll let you into the Properties, and from there, go to the Enhancements tab and see if Loudness Equalization is able to be enabled. Hit ok, and that in theory should bring up the volume loudness. But I can't say for sure for ATI sound cards.

 

[AnnJ]

Yeah... those things had me nervous for awhile!

OK... I went in and checked the configuraqtion of the speakers and they are set to stereo and I tested while I was there. It's funny, but those sounds bounce all the way up on the volume meter in the tray...

Thanks for trying to help me...
Ann

 

[AnnJ]

Hi CokeRobot (love that name).... I checked it out and there is no enhancement tab. I checked all of the tabs in properties and no mention of equalization anywhere.
Thanks for the effort though...
Ann

 

[Maguscreed]

This is probably handled by something int he creative labs controls, which I don't currently have so I can't walk him through.
The ati isn't controlling his sound btw it's the creative labs x-fi card.

 

[AnnJ]

Update

For anyone following this thread....
I had a Dell tech remotely look at my system and he went to all of the areas we discussed here plus things I had tried on my own before my original post..... made no changes.... then he went into the BIOS and disabled the onboard sound. Still system sounds are around 5-10 on the volume scale..... even when I win at solitaire you can't hear the fireworks display!!

I remembered I have a subwoofer with 2 speakers (Harman Kardon) from my old system and will hire someone to come swap out my speakers for me. Hope this helps.

Will update more when that happens and thanks for trying to help me, Maguscreed!

Ann

PS... The Dell tech said that was the best he could do with my system and I can't help but feel he is wrong!

 

[Maguscreed]

You shouldn't need someone's help to set up the other speakers for you, I assure you it's not very complicated.

 

[AnnJ]

Thanks... I should have stated why I needed help with the swap-out ... I have a fractured back and cannot lift the computer off the floor or even tip it so I could insert the jack connections. I even had to have an installer set me up when I got this machine.... Boy, it was rough watching someone do what I've always done myself!

Since my old speakers were fantastic, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Ann

 

[Jacee]

Look at the post by chev65 http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/21089-low-sound-volume.html#post234986