Windows Vista audio volume is soo low

I have a gateway laptop running Vista. My volume for itunes, windows media, or anything is very low. I am not sure what I can do... anyone know how I can get more volume on this laptop?

I did go into my volume mixer and itunes volume... they are all up as high is they can go.

TIA

 

What is the model of the laptop?

 

Sorry its a Gateway (not Dell) one sticker says model: Ma7 one says: MT6840

 

It seems to be this one:
http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/2007/Oasis/1014554R/1014554Rnv.shtml

The audio is Sigmatel. Look in the Notification Tray or in Control Panel if there is an icon for Sigmatel audio. There may be audio controls there.

Check all the volume related settings you can find. EDIT: you can change them, but if there is no difference, go back immediately and reset them to original. For example, I wondered if your settings may be set for a multi-channel audio system, but the specifications say it is 2 channel (stereo).

There is an update for the "sound ":
http://support.gateway.com/support/...dio Driver version: 6.10.5337.0&uid=189910399
Follow the installation instructions. ALTHOUGH, it may be best to go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features and uninstall the current Sigmatel listing before installing the new version (reboot if asked).

Has the volume ever been any better?

It may be a problem with a setting in the Sigmatel audio "manager ", rather than Windows volume control/mixer. It may be a problem with the drivers or the audio manager (Sigmatel) software. It could be a hardware problem or it may just be made to work that way.

Try connecting headphones or external speakers. Read the user guide for if there are keystroke combinations to change volume.

Matt

 

Hit Start. Go to search. Type in volume control. Open up the volume control program. You make a shortcut to it on desktop. Let me know what happens. Better yet go click start, control panel, then speech,audio sound devices, Change the speaker settings. Than click place the volume icon on the taskbar.