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Question

Sound problems on laptop

May 16, 2014 3:44PM PDT

For a few weeks I have not had normal sound on my Lenovo T61. Usually no system sounds; almost always no other sounds like CD, DVD, online like YouTube (video plays fine).

I have tried advice on other forums, some of which has worked, if only temporarily.
I have installed, rolled back, and uninstalled drivers (most from the Lenovo page for my machine, some the MS drivers on the machine). Some of this has worked, temporarily.

I have a suspicion that I used DriverMax to do some installation of drivers which could be the problem, but learned that such utilities should be avoided. I uninstalled some of those.
Also was advised to install only Lenovo drivers, which I don't understand fully, because many of the factory installed drivers are MS.

I had a chance to review some other ways to see what's wrong with the audio. One is Windows Help and Support using XP Sound troubleshooter. if only to check if devices are on and configured, etc.
- First page of the troubleshooter: I check the box for: "I do not hear sound from my computer's speakers or headphones."
- Page 2: No sounds from any source can be played. I tried all the options here, incl. system speakers and external speakers. I check "I do not hear sound from my computer's speakers or headphones."
- Page 3: Volume control is fine. No mute except for Mic. I check "No, there is still no sound coming from my speakers. Or, my volume settings were already correct."
- Page 4: External speakers are connected properly. Internal ones used to work. I check "No, I still cannot hear sounds from my speakers."
- Page 5: Step 1: Soundmax is listed as enabled. Step 2: Soundmax is enabled also in Sound Playback and Recording. Step 3: Soundmax is not listed in Audio devices. Only ADI UAA Function driver for HD Audio is there.
I'm guessing this is the issue. How do I get Soundmax to be listed here?
Any other advice for this sound problem?

------------------
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Installed: 5/30/2008
2.20 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
4096 kilobyte secondary memory cache
152.82 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
63.80 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-852 [Optical drive]
HITACHI HTS542516K9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB)
Board: LENOVO 889279G
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M [Display adapter]
Samsung SyncMaster [Monitor] (22.0"vis, November 200Cool
ThinkPad Display 1400x1050 [Monitor] (14.1"vis, March 200Cool
SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio

Discussion is locked

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Answer
DriverMax means I can't help.
May 16, 2014 11:17PM PDT

However I will note that XP is pretty rough on folks new to installing XP. Here's the HP example where you find many new Techs blowing up on the MS UAA step. Most ask me what MS UAA is but shouldn't they know that to be in the business?

-> http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7587_102-2699006.html?tag=posts;msg5451420

Notice how if you get the install order wrong, sound may not work or may not come back?
Bob

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UAA
May 19, 2014 4:36PM PDT

Yes I have heard about the UAA and its problems.
And that the order of installation is important- chipset first.

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It's pickier than that.
May 19, 2014 11:50PM PDT

Use the OS CD first, then chipset then MS UAA then and only then audio, video.

The reason for MS UAA before is discussed and the reason of audio before video is in case the video transport included an audio component such as HDMI.

This is one old OS so at this point most of all this is pretty well discussed.

If the hardware has failed, I like that USB audio dongle for about 10 bucks that requires no driver hunts.
Bob

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No OS CD
May 20, 2014 4:02PM PDT

OS came preinstalled. No chipset driver that I can find.

Where is it that it's so well discussed. It's the answers about sound that I need...

What's the dongle thing? Can it do things like provide sound for all programs that use sound, like online music and video? What about for CDs in the optical drive?

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Back then
May 20, 2014 11:23PM PDT

The machine would have a way to create restore media. Given the over a decade since XP laptops came out the owners had years to collect and backup said CDs.

If the media is lost or gone, you'll want to fix that first.

As to well discussed, it's in discussions on the web. Once in a while someone will claim they never see them so we have a choice of listing links or taking the answer is that they don't understand the prior discussions.

Here's the dongle thing I like -> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/

That one is one I never hunt for drivers but with the missing OS CD you have to fix that first.
Bob

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Found UAA
May 21, 2014 5:00AM PDT

I went through the sound troubleshooter again. The times before I ran it, I did not see Soundmax at
"To verify that Windows is configured to use the audio features of your sound device:
Open Device Manager.
Double-click Sound, video, and game controllers.
Double-click your sound device.
Click the Properties tab, and then double-click Audio Devices.
Click your sound device, and then click Properties.
Click Use audio features on this device."

But then I noticed that "ADI UAA Function Driver for HD Audio" was there instead of Soundmax.
And under its Properties "Use audio features on this device" is selected.
And "Status: Driver is enabled and is functioning properly."

Soundmax and UAA must have some connection I guess.
So it appears that the programs and drivers for audio are there and enabled.
There's also some other audio drivers listed in Sounds and audio devices> Hardware:
Audio codecs, Legacy audio drivers, Media control devices... all of which are listed as functioning. Although the Location for these three is listed as Unknown.

Steven below said that maybe the problem could be something like pounding on the keyboard, which I don't do. I read a little on the loopback check but that seems complicated for me.

Any suggestions please?

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Yes, it's complicated.
May 21, 2014 5:10AM PDT

Let's read a chat with HP (applies to all XP installs!) about the order of the install.

"Harold: Here are the drivers for XP
Harold: 1. NVIDIA GeForce Series Video Driver for Windows XP..

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp33501-34000/sp33537.exe
Harold: 2. NVIDIA nForce Chipset Driver and Network Controller for Windows XP.
Note: This package provides the driver for the NVIDIA nForce Chipset and Network Controller

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp33001-33500/sp33411.exe
Harold: 3. UAA drivers to enable the audio hardware for Windows XP.
Note: It is strongly recomended to install ths driver before you install the audio driver. If you do not install this driver the audio will not work.

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp33501-34000/sp33867.exe
Harold: 4. Conexant High Definition Audio Driver for Windows XP."

What wasn't written there is if this is done out of order there is no supported method to fix it. I know that sounds odd but everyone seems to think you are a computer scientist and know better than to guess how to install Windows XP. That is, you would follow the maker's instructions or google it.

I'm not apologizing for the industry here. I didn't create that mess.

But I will write badly about drivermax and such. I find those can cause more harm than good. To the point I've had to wipe the drive and start fresh.
Bob

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And I think I was unclear.
May 21, 2014 5:23AM PDT

Sorry but my last reply was to convey how complicated the sound system has become in Windows. When it's messed up there is rarely a documented way to correct the problem.

But I don't want to write "reload the factory OS" so quickly but share how I fixed a few short of the reload. And again, those driver finders only made it harder for me to fix.

OK, in a grand overview I'll boot safe mode then off to the device manager to remove all things audio. No, there is no documentation on that. I'll then install the motherboard chipset driver, then MS-UAA for this laptop and then the audio driver package. After that I'll consider any media control packages from the maker. And again, all this is the vague overview. Anything more specific must come from the laptop maker.
Bob

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Answer
Go here
May 17, 2014 4:24AM PDT
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/default.page?#


You'll need a few clicks to get there. You'll go laptops and tablets, T-series, T-61 and then find the model # which should be on a sticker on the underside of the laptop. The latest audio driver should be available for download there. Now, if your laptop hasn't been reloaded with other than recovery media, you may also have a drivers folder on the machine. I happen to have a T-61 as well but it's currently loaded with Linux so I can't check that for you. Yes, you'll need the chipset and audio drivers for that specific model in order to get it to function properly. You should, however, be able to check device manager to see if the audio system shows as functioning properly. Don't forget the Up-Down volume and mute buttons in the upper left corner. They'll get you every time. Good luck.
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Been there, many times...
May 19, 2014 4:33PM PDT

I'm very familiar with the Lenovo Drivers and software - page for my T61 (aka Driver Matrix).
One problem with the page is that it does not have all the drivers etc. for my machine, only the latest updates for it. The only audio driver there is SoundMax (5.10.1.5710 the latest I believe), which I have already installed.
The only chipsets listed are support ones, like:
****************************************************************************
* ThinkPad December 31, 2007 *
* Intel Chipset Support 6 for Windows 2000/XP/Vista *
* Version 8.2.0.1012 *
****************************************************************************
which predates my T61.
Too bad the "NEW Lenovo Solution Center" does not apply to T61.
The audio system shows as functioning properly.
I also know about the volume controls in all their locations that cause a frozen screen = hard shutdown.

Funny thing though, once in a while the audio works OK (until I hit a volume control). Can't figure it out.
Please, any other suggestions?

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Then it could be a hardware problem
May 19, 2014 8:20PM PDT

The volume control is switch is hardware. The headphone jack is hardware. A bad connection or short can disable either or both. If your device manager says all is peachy, and your volume is set to an audible range, you may have a hardware issue. Pounding on laptop keyboards can do all sorts of bad things over time. Stuck keys can disable functions and flexing can break solder joints. I had a failed Ethernet device on a MB that device manager claimed to be OK. It took a loopback check to show it wasn't.

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FYI
May 21, 2014 6:45AM PDT

My wife's old T61 is type 6459-CTO. It was purchased through Lenovo directly so that model probably wasn't available through other sources. The latest chipset shows as 4.0.100.1124 product version 9.3.0.1021. The Soundmax driver shows as 5.10.1.5710. The Nvidia Quadro NVS 140m driver shows as 6.14.11.7874. To my knowledge, these are the lastest for this laptop which runs XP Pro SP-3. It works fine. If there's any other information you'd want me to look for on this one, I'd be happy to give it.

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RE FYI
May 22, 2014 6:34AM PDT

OK thanks. Mine is 8892 a Euro model.
I have the same drivers for Nvidia 140m and Soundmax.
For chipset do you mean the motherboard?
I searched "chipset 4.0.100.1124 lenovo" and got several results for different software/hardware, it appears.
Many results were complaining about problems with it.
Here's one that might be useful, maybe I can download it. Except the number appears several times for different products, it appears.

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The chipset number information I gave is from
May 22, 2014 7:02AM PDT

the properties of the driver file and nothing I extracted from the MB. The MB model/version I probably can't provide without opening it up. I have a BIOS of 2.27 (7LETC7WW) dated 2010-04-08. If yours is a Euro model, it may use some different drivers so comparing the two for what matches and what doesn't might not be as helpful as I'd hoped. That you say your problem comes and goes leads me to think that a hardware issue such as a bad connection might be possible. Flexing causes things to break. plugging things in and out of mini jacks used for mics and headphones causes sound problems too. Age and corrosion do much the same. IBM/Lenovo did have a graphics issue with one model using a Radeon chip that sat in an area vulnerable to keyboard use. The chip needed to either be resoldered (expensive) or the board replaced. I would think that if you were able to image your HD as is for a test run of just restoring the laptop via the factory recovery method if available, you could rule out hardware. If it didn't work when returned to how it came from the factory, you have a hardware problem.

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Previous message from rgb6
May 23, 2014 2:22PM PDT

Steven, I note that you replied to my previous message "RE FYI". But that message is not visible now. Did you actually see that RE FYI message? Any idea where it is?
I posted a message about it in another forum but no one replied as to where it is.

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I don't recall the title but I think it may have been lost
May 24, 2014 12:52AM PDT

From my side, it shows I responded to myself but your RE FYI is mentioned in my reply. Only a MOD could answer this but I could guess that your message got spammed. When moderators delete spam, some member posts might also go with it. I could suspect that's what happened.