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virtual edge
08/17/1998
Sound Card
Jump to the self-diagnostic flowchart, or select the specific problem you're having with your sound card:
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I'm getting no sound. |
|
I'm having problems installing the sound card driver. |
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The volume on my sound card is too low. |
I'M GETTING NO SOUND.
I'M HAVING PROBLEM INSTALLING THE SOUND CARD DRIVER
THE VOLUME ON MY SOUND CARD IS TOO LOW
SELF-DIAGNOSTIC FLOWCHART
INSTALL SOUND CARD AND POWER UP SYSTEM
CHECK BIOS SETTING AND DEVICE MANAGER
CHECK DRIVER VERSION
1. Make sure your speakers are plugged into the sound card correctly.
Most sound cards come with more than one connector in the back. You should
verify the speaker is connected to the sound card's speaker or line-out
connector.
2. Also, make sure the speakers you're using are working properly. Turn
them on first and set the volume control button (if present) to about 25% max.
3. Be aware that systems with an integrated sound usually require
powered speakers. If you're using non-powered speaker on such a system,
the volume may be too low for you to hear.
4. Check to make sure the volume is set correctly in Windows 9x. You
should see a small yellow speaker icon at the lower right hand corner of
the desktop, next to the system time. Double click on the speaker icon will
bring up the master volume control panel. Make sure the volume control balance
and wave balance is set to 50%, and the "mute" box is not checked.
5. Lastly, go into Device Manager (right click on My Computer, go to
Properties, select Device Manager, and double click on "Sound, game, and video
controller") and make sure the sound card drivers are installed properly.
Top of page
1. If you have an ISA plug and play (PnP) sound card, make sure you've
set the PnP OS option to yes/enabled from the system board's BIOS setting. To
get into the BIOS, keep hitting the DELETE key during the system memory count
screen. Then go to PCI/PnP Configuration and enable the PnP OS option.
2. Also, for ISA PnP sound card, you may want to reserve interrupt
request 5 (IRQ5) for the sound card. To do so, go into the BIOS setup, go to
PCI/PnP Configuration and change "Resource Controlled By" from Auto to Manual.
Then go down to IRQ5 and set it from PCI/PnP to Legacy.
3. Check in Device Manager (right click on My Computer, go to
Properties, select Device Manager) to make sure you don't have any
Unsupported or Other Device entries. If you spot any of those entries and
it's related to your sound card, delete them and restart the system.
Windows 9x should find the sound card and prompt you for the drivers.
Top of page
1. If your system has an integrated sound card, then make sure you're
using powered speakers, instead of non-powered speakers! Onboard sound devices
usually do not have enough power to drive non-powered speakers. The result will
be the volume is either too low or non-existent.
2. Check your speaker's volume control; make sure it's cranked up to
at least 25% of maximum. And check Windows 9x master volume control panel
(it's the little yellow speaker icon at the lower right hand corner); make
sure the master and wave balance are set to 50% of max.
Top of page
Begin at the circle START symbol, and follow the flowchart below to troubleshoot your problem. Remember to click
on the GREEN boxes for more detailed instructions!
Top of page
1. If you're installing an ISA plug and play (PnP) sound card, make sure
the PnP option is enabled in the BIOS. To do so, keep hitting the DELETE key
during the memory count screen. Then go to PCI/PnP Configuration and set PnP OS
to yes or enabled.
2. If you have a PCI sound card then it's not necessary to do this.
(Although it's always a good idea to set PnP OS to yes if you're using Windows
95 or 98.)
1. If Windows 9x is unable to detect your sound card, then go into
the Device Manager (Control Panel / System) and look for an entry that reads
"Unsupported or Unknown Device" and double click on it. If you see your sound
card listed here, then remove it and restart the system.
2. Remember, for ISA plug and play (PnP) sound cards, you must enable
PnP OS in the BIOS; see the questions above.
1. Always make sure you're using the latest and most up to date version
of the sound card driver.
2. Click here to see a list of sound card drivers.
