I am working on a friends laptop and about two weeks ago the master volume slider started dropping on its own to zero (the mute check never goes on though …it just drops to zero). I have explored about 40 resolutions from software to hardware trying to correct the problem. Short of a complete re-install of OS.
things I have tried:
SOftware:
Un-installed about a dozen uneeded and possible conflicting software such as real players, limewire, ipod software, Itunes software.
-No avail
Un-installed and re-installed sound card drivers
-No Avail
Tried both system restore and hard disk restore
-No avail
Explored and removed several possible malicious software items through different parts of the C drive via DOS. Mostly these were mere browser assisters etc etc…(my browser is working much better now 🙂 Heh..
-still no avail
Tried driver updates
-No avail
Tried every malicious removal tool i have (Hijack this, spybot, combofix…etc)
-No avail
Tried to restore regsitry and explored registry to make sure the volume was enabled
-No avail
Tried to shut off all computer functions (both msconfig and task manager items)besides explorer and windows access only
-No avail
Theres actually probably in the past two days more software issues (minor) besides these that I have tried also. None that I have not come across in a thread already as a possible solution.
Hardware:
HP has three buttons on the front casing of the laptop for volume control. Removed these keys and cleaned them thoroughly
-No avail
There is another music note key on the top of the keyboard housing and cleaned that
-No avail
There is no sound possibilities through either the laptops mouse or my usb ported HP mouse.
-again….no avail
My last option this weekend I am going to open up the laptop and try to find something called the periometer (or something like that), that adjusts certain functions on the laptop to compensate for humidity etc etc..hopefully that works. I really really do not want to back up files and re-install OS. Without a good flash drive or back up drive I have alot of music, word, and pictures to store to do this. I also really do not think I need to do this as the slider is acting on its own but its still acting. I have tried just about everything. If there is anything else anyone could send my way I would greatly appreciate it, as this auto-mute thing is really annoying and I need volume on this computer. I am on my own computer and not the laptop to post hijack this report with running processes and programs. If there is anyone that can help me please:)
Thank you,
-No avail
