Hardware

Ask something
Question Locked

Sound Problem Can anyone help?

0 helpful
5 replies

by chrisbutler216

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I am having a problem with the sound on my computer. Whilst watching TV listening to music or just using the PC the sound will suddenly fade away and come back again either within a few minutes or longer. There is no set pattern as to when the sound goes or how long it goes for. Sometimes switching the speakers on and off works but not always. It does seem to improve the longer the computer is switched on. Any suggestions will be most gratefully received I am using Vista and there does not appear to be any problems when I open Device Manager Thanks Chris

5 replies

by tintoman

First it could be that your power supply unit is struggling to provide power for all your devices especially if you have a powerful graphics card

Second the sound device could be faulty, if it's on board sound try fitting a pci sound card.

by chrisbutler216

Thanks to all who responded but the problem has gone away as quickly as it came. Could be RAM, who knows? but at least if it happens again I will have some good ideas Thanks Guys

by thechas

I presume that you have on board sound using an AC97 or similar CODEC.

There is a lot of software overhead involved with integrated sound. If the system gets too busy with higher priority tasks, the sound will skip or drop out.

Personally, I would install a dedicated sound card.

However, your other option is to install more RAM. I do not recommend running Vista with less than 2 GB of RAM. If practical, I would install the maximum amount of RAM your system can hold.

Chas

by seanferd

Could you be receiving an IM or some other system event that is trying to trigger a sound event? This used to get an error message if 2 or more sounds were trying to use the same format.

This discussion is closed to new replies.