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Help with audio on PC

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by tink!

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Ok, call me daft but I can't figure out what I'm missing, I'm sure it's something very obvious that I'm overlooking.

We have a Dell Optiplex GX100 with Windows 98 (used to run NT). It's just an extra computer and I wanted to use it to stream in radio off the internet. Problem is that the speakers will not work.

There is no built-in sound card. The modem however has headphone and mic jacks. After querying the modem I installed the SupraExpress 56i SP V.90 driver (downloaded from DriverGuide). The modem is fine, but still no sound thru the speakers. The computer won't even act like they are there... it appears to want some hardware information on speakers.

Even when I select the Voice Line #00 (modem) for the preferred sound device, it won't work. It also won't stay on that option. It keeps going back to Windows Speaker.

Please point out what I'm missing!
Thanks
Tink :)

6 replies

by rahouseholder

You are missing a sound card. You will need to install one before you will be able to get any sound from streaming media....

by older mycroft

I think you are misunderstanding the significance of the '[i]headphone and mic jacks[/i]".

I don't think they were ever included for the purpose you are attempting to use them for.

If memory serves me correctly, their purpose was what you might these days term as a rudimentary VoIP, for testing purposes you could talk to another computer-user similarly equipped at the other end of the line. :D

For what you are intending you'll be able to pick up a soundcard for pennies these days.

by jamesrl

In the good old days, we used to listen to the speakers on the modems to hear the handshaking going on.
We could tell alot about the quality of the connection by how quickly and at what level the handshake happened.

You are right, she needs a sound card. The speakers attached to motherboards are there so you can hear error beeps.

Tigerdirect has some as low as $12.99. Look for a soundblaster compatible one.

James

by older mycroft

Sync...

Sync Ack...

Ack...

I still get a laugh from witnessing a user's confusion when I mention the handshake! :D

by tink!

I told you it was something obvious..lol. I haven't done anything like this in so long I forgot the rudimentary basics!

Alright I'm off to rip a sound card out of a retired PC. Thanks all for the slap upside the head! Tink :)

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