Korean Job Discussion Forums

peppermint

How big a hassle is it to replace a soundcard in a laptop? I bought it back in May, and the sound has gotten progressively worse.

Crois · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 3:39 am Post subject:

O well...let me uh...just check for...you.

Damn naked pictures of...Kathine Janeway...keep getting in the...way.

It should be east because everyone here is good with computers but it might be a bit more expensive being smaller and all.

Guest · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 3:54 am Post subject:

hi peppermint,
The soundcard may not be the problem. How is it getting worse? Distorted sound?

peppermint · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:30 am Post subject:

Really distorted, but only on the bass. I've upgraded the drivers and what not, and tried external speakers too. So far no luck

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Sounds like an internal problem. If you are still under warrenty, get it looked at.

Guest · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:44 am Post subject:

hmm, if you're running on a fast system, and the sounds not choppy, and its a new computer, i'm thinking it could be a setting...not sure how computer savvy you are, so apologies in advance if you've tried this, but adjust the Graphic equaliser on your media player, bass level down somewhat, and if its still distorting, then it could be the hardware.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Replace a desktop soundcard? Easy.
On a laptop? Not so easy to impossible depending on the manufacturer/model.
But while the options and tweaks and extras have increased the overall technology for digital sound hasn't really made any astounding leaps over the last few years (that I'm aware of) so while I'm no ultra-audiophile I'm wondering if perhaps a gradual decrease in bass quality is more a sign that your speakers are going- those tiny laptop speakers can't handle much- so try buying some external speakers or plugging in headphones and see how they sound in comparison. I've always used headphones or external speakers on my laptop for exactly that reason- don't want to blow the hell out of them.

You should also check the settings and make sure you are configured for laptop speakers rather than desktop or 5.1 etc.

Hank Scorpio · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

jaebea · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Location: SYD

I recommend checking out what blake mentioned, check your equalisers in Winamp and Windows, make sure the bass isn't cranked up too high.

If you're REALLY desperate, then you can try getting a breakout solution, but they're not cheap as far as I can tell. This is pretty much like a dongle that plugs via USB and has all the audio inputs/outputs. I'm not sure how much they cost, or how good they sound, but it's an option.

jae.

peppermint · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. I've taken your suggestions and been playing around with the settings and what not. It's not perfect, but it's far better than it was. Smile