Windows Vista Vista sound issues

Hi,

I have just got a Packard Bell (2414 I think) as my old pc was dying. I
have connected my old Creative 7.1 speakers (via the subwoofer etc) as per my old pc set-up.

However I only get sound through the front two speakers, I have tried to set
up for both 7.1 and 5.1 sound in all the options I can find and the strange
thing is if I run the speaker tests I can get sound from all speakers (in a
5.1 setup) including the sub, but only sound from the front two speakers for
windows sounds, music via media player etc.

I would suspect a connection issue if it wasnt for the fact I can produce sound through the other speakers during the test modes.

I'm completely new to vista but is this a problem other people have seen?

thanks!

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

If you go to Control Panel, you may/should find an icon for Sound, which is Windows audio control. If there is a choice of Speakers or Digital Output, disable Digital Output unless you are using a digital connection, like SPDIF.
There is probably also an icon for the audio "manager ", for example, mine has a Realtek Audio Manager, you may need to adjust settings there, but I take it that that is where you are running the tests.

I expect the problem to be the difference between the Windows settings and audio manager settings.

You can look for updated audio "drivers" at the Packard Bell website, these will also update the audio manager software.

You can go to the audio controller manufacturer's website and check for FAQs on the audio setup.

Check the audio specifications for the model of the Packard Bell. Although there may be settings for 5.1 and 7.1 systems, the audio controller may not have the capability to run them. You may be just testing individual speakers (or pairs of speakers).

There may be setup instructions in the Packard Bell manual/User Guide. Don't treat it like your old computer, because it is probably quite different. I usually find the correct settings by trial and error, it also lets me get familiar with the audio system set-up. Make a note of which settings you change, go back and
restore the old setting if it is not successful.

Matt

 

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the quick reply!

I have disabled the digital sound as instructed and I have now noticed the additional audio manager (hidden at the bottom of the sound options in control panel!) - it is the same as yours - a Realtek HD Audio Manager. I found an option in there for Speaker fill which was the sort of thing I was looking for so stereo sound is artificially surround. I guess with actual surround things like DVDs and games etc (which I havent got round to trying) the system will handle it automatically. In the meantime Ive got sound from the other speakers and sub so thats great.

Interestingly I still get no sound from the side speakers, im guessing its to do with the outputs from the rear of the pc (currently green orange and black) that go to the rear of the sub where each individual speaker plugs in. I suspect it was doing something on my old pc meaning I was getting a "pseudo" 7.1 by upmixing 5.1. no problem anyway as I have the main ones working and it doesnt feel like so much of a waste having a desk covered in speakers any more

Thanks again for the advice - think I got quite lucky in having you advise me with a similar setup and hardware!!

cheers,

Nathan

 

When I hover the cursor over the orange connector in the Realtek manager, it says "Side Speakers Out ", see attachment.

As I said, check the specifications for the system. The audio controller may only be 5.1.