[TriLUG] How to get laptop earphone jack to work?

[John Wheeler]

Steve,

I have seen this same issue across operating systems on a little  
Inspiron that I inherited from a friend.
It seems there is a technical issue with some common plug layouts on  
these integrated sound chipsets that only arises when the machine is  
slammed repeatedly into the wall (by arbitrary user) in fits of  
seizing rage. This is induced by malfunctioning windows installations.

The best solution I could find was to open the casing to resettle the  
pieces and connections before whispering softly into the input  
promises of never letting another admin touch her there again.
 From now on it's just me and her, baby.

Ahem, after you try all of the software suggestions, open it up and  
look for physical damage.

John Wheeler
Ethereal Fringe Designs
jwheeler at etherealfringe.com
336.255.8004


On Jan 11, 2008, at 9:03 AM, Glenn Starling wrote:

> Probably the lubricant on the speaker system plugs and jacks was a
> mistake, but I suspect it would only result in intermittent operation.
> I wouldn't worry too much about it until you get the computer/speakers
> working, but wouldn't try it again!
>
> You might also consider:
> *	Insure that it is the headphone jack rather than a mic jack that you
> have plugged the speakers into.
>
> *	Has the laptop been taken apart where it is possible a jumper  
> from the
> headphone jack was not correctly plugged back into the motherboard  
> when
> the repairs were finished?
>
> *	 Was the microphone jack physically damaged?  Many times there is a
> switch that is a part of the jack, so that when a plug is inserted it
> disconnects the internal speaker.  Are the switch contacts clean and
> still functioning?
>
> *	Check the way that particular laptop was "supposed to work."  There
> may have been a software combination (function key, etc.) that would
> activate the headphone.  I don't have any experience with the Compaq
> Presario V133CL.  Without knowing, it is difficult to tell if it is
> hardware or software.
>
> Good luck!
>
> -- Glenn Starling
>
>
> On Thu, 2008-01-10 at 20:44 -0500, Steve Litt wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I have a Compaq Presario V6133CL laptop running Mandriva 2007. The  
>> sound
>> system works perfectly out of its dinky little speakers. However,  
>> when
>> connect the input plug of my powered speaker system, which works  
>> perfectly
>> with my desktop, to the earphone jack of the laptop, no sound  
>> comes out of
>> them, and the sound still comes out of the little laptop speakers.
>>
>> I tried lubricating the speaker system plugs to no available. I  
>> turned the up
>> the volume of the speaker system to maximum -- no sound. However,  
>> if I put my
>> finger on the plug a buzz comes out the speakers.
>>
>> I looked around for a function key combination that would effect  
>> the sound
>> system and couldn't find one. The only thing I can find is a  
>> speaker on
>> speaker off button and an LED touch slide pot, but neither of  
>> these work
>> under Mandriva 2007.
>>
>> When I run aumix, there are three sliders: Volume, which works  
>> perfectly,
>> Line, which will not let me set it at anything but 100%, and Mic,  
>> which again
>> will not let me set it at anything but 100%.
>>
>> What can I do to drive powered external speakers from this laptop?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> SteveT
>>
>> Steve Litt
>> Author: Universal Troubleshooting Process books and courseware
>> http://www.troubleshooters.com/
>>
>
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