sound from one laptop speaker only, can't solve this

I've often run a stereo miniplug out to two RCA plugs into a stereo amp for an iPod, boombox, laptop, without problems. My main system runs that way, with a miniplug into the headphone out on a Win10 machine, into a decent s tereo amp and floor speakers. I have another system running the USB out in to an M-Audio interface, then RCA cables into that stereo. Both work great .

I just tried putting speakers on the rec room laptop where the wifi reaches .

Only one speaker works. So here was my troubleshooting order:

swapped the speakers, left for right. Nope, they both work, but only on th e one side.

Swapped the stereo amp for a different one. Same results.

Okay, maybe it's the laptop port. Put in earbuds from my phone, both sides work.

Aha! It's the cable. Got two more miniplug to RCA cables, still only one side audio. Not the cable, unless I have 3 bad ones.

Then and only then went to google: common problem, adjust the speaker volu me and balance settings and it goes away. Nope, still doesn't work.

Still could be the laptop jack. Carry it upstairs to the system known to w ork. Works fine up there. Great, it's fixed, carry it back down and ..... .......... nope, won't work on the amp down there.

What am I missing? I've tried speakers, amps, cables, and software, I don' t know where to go next. Oh, maybe should mention, this is an older laptop . It came with System 7 but when the harddrive crashed we couldn't get ano ther 7 without paying the cost of another laptop so we put on XP.

Reply to
Tim R
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You can almost always download a replacement disk fro the manufacturer, or Microsoft. You will get an ISO file, this is needed top make the disk boota ble. It takes a special burning program to actually burn the CD. I use Powe r to go. Freeware and n0t invasive.

I say this because you probably have a compatabiity issue. Windows XP has b een out for a log time, there was no bluetooth. There was wireless but not bluetooth.

It's nice how they get you to pay to get something that is for free.

Reply to
jurb6006

r Microsoft. You will get an ISO file, this is needed top make the disk boo table. It takes a special burning program to actually burn the CD. I use Po wer to go. Freeware and n0t invasive.

been out for a log time, there was no bluetooth. There was wireless but no t bluetooth.

Yes. I called the manufacturer. They asked for the product code from the box, which I'd saved. I read it to them and they said sorry, that was inst alled by the retailer, you'll have to pay full price for a new system.

Reply to
Tim R

WE have no idea the laptop details or the OS version. Some random thoughts: If you have a windows 7 COA on the laptop, you can download the bits to make it work. I'm too lazy to look it up if you don't need it.

Did you update XP to SP3? They made a lot of changes over the years.

Did you try to find a better sound card driver for the laptop?

Sometimes the audio jack detects what's on there and sets itself up accordingly. Try a 32 ohm resistor to ground on each audio line to see if that helps. Probably can be a lot bigger resistors, I just have no idea what the threshold might be.

Reply to
mike

I am not sure how old my netbook is,but it has win XP on it and has Bluetooth.

Reply to
Ralph Mowery
[snip]

Old laptop may have a slightly recessed audio jack. So a standard mini plug won't seat fully and make connection with left and right channel contacts in the jack.

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Paul Hovnanian     mailto:Paul@Hovnanian.com 
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Reply to
Paul Hovnanian P.E.

Sorry, I didn't include any system details because I was looking hardware f irst.

Because hardware is less frustrating to fix, not because of inherent logic.

If it matters, it is an ASUS K501, running XP Professional 2002 with Servic e Pack 3. CPU is a Pentium dual core T4400@2.2 Ghz. 2.96 Gb RAM. All thi s from clicking on the system folder. It doesn't describe the sound card b ut says there is VIA HD Audio, and Legacy Audio Driver. I tried to update, it told me it couldn't find any better driver.

Reply to
Tim R

That makes sense. I have 3 cables that don't work, but an iPhone earbud does. The cable in use upstairs also worked, so maybe there's just enough variation from plug to plug.

So you think over time the jack has depressed a bit, just enough to not make good contact? The answer then is probably to get sound out of the USB instead of the headphone jack.

Reply to
Tim R

---------------

** Iphone earbuds use FOUR way mini-plugs.

You vision impaired?

.... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

Yes, I'm aware of that. The 4th contact handles a volume control for the iPhone. Apparently the three standard contacts are close enough to a 3 way to work in most miniplug jacks. I could be wrong.

Yes, of course, I'm 65 with bifocals and cataracts. I insert the plug mostly by feel, and I need a headlamp working on dark surfaces.

FWIW, I did some research on how to install Win 7 again, and it appears to be near impossible without the product key. That's long since lost, which is too bad.

Basically at this point I don't know for sure if it's a jack problem or a software problem. I tried plugging in my Fasttrack, a USB to audio converter, and it recognized it as fasttrack, but never gave me the option to output sound.

Reply to
Tim R

That's why I've been buying off lease Dell Optiplex 780 computers. Shove a Dell restore disk into the drive, and let it take care of everything, including installing the corporate key for XP or Win 7.

I just bought another on Ebay for $43.71 delivered. It has 4GB of RAM, a 250 GB HD and a DVD-ROM. It will be used to control a Vinyl cutter for a local company that makes canopies for art shows. I got several XP restore disks for free, and I paid about $10 for the Dell Win

7 disk.
Reply to
Michael A Terrell

On 12/30/17 9:16 PM, Tim R wrote: > Yes, of course, I'm 65 with bifocals and cataracts.

Welcome to my world brother.

That's not true, just go ahead and install. Then it will bitch constantly about being a potentially counterfeit copy.

When you get tired of it bitching at you and refusing to update, go here: I buy from Scotts758. Absolutely painless and simple.

For $9, it beats wasting any time going through that pile of "I'll just put this here where it's safe and I can find it again."

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"I am a river to my people." 
Jeff-1.0 
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Reply to
Fox's Mercantile

I just bought a new Dell laptop and wanted to run an older version of Microsoft Office. It loaded but would not run the email part. I was told when I bought the computer from Office Depot that my old copy would not run under Win 10, The version was office XP (corporate license) and I had it running on several other windows 10 computers. Sure enough the mail part would not run. I got on ebay and looked around and found many versions of Office 2016 keys for about $ 10 or less. Thinking it may be a scam I thought what the heck, its lsee than $ 10 to find out. Downloaded the program and they sent me the key in about 2 or 3 hours. It could have been quicker but I did not check for it for that long. It has been working just fine for a month and no doubt it will keep on running. That money beat me trying to find out why the Win XP or 2007 version would not run correctly on the laptop version of win 10.

Reply to
Ralph Mowery

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