No Sound but everything works!

[dave1310]

The sound on my computer quit working a couple of days ago. So I did some checking...
Device Manager says the RealTek HD Audio device is working properly. A check of Asus site (MB mfg) confirms the driver is current.
The audio device manager in the control panel (Hardware and Sound>Sound>Manage Audio Devices) shows Realtek is the default device and the sound meter indicates proper activity when audio is played.
Clicking the Realtek icon in the SYS Tray allows changing the audio parameters and is unmuted.
The (amplified) speaker system works when plugged into any sound source except computer.
Got out an old speaker set; they work with all but computer.
Neither front nor rear outputs on computer send sound to any device I hooked up.
So, where the heck is my sound going? since it surely isn't going to the output jacks??

 

[uplink-svk]

Afaik You have a proprietary software for Your RealTek HD Audio sound chip, which when some device is connected [headphones, speakers, microphone...] it asks what device was connected. Do You have this software installed?

 

[Math Geek]

first step is to try uninstalling the audio and letting windows reinstall it after a reboot. this will let you see if the driver is somehow the problem. it may be updated and such but sometimes they go goofy.

uninstall the sound through device manager and reboot and let windows install the generic driver. if it works now, then you know it's the driver. have you changed anything in the bios lately? it's possible it's disabled through the bios for some reason.

these are simple and easiest things to check first before declaring more complicated problems like sound chip messed up on the mobo or something.

 

[dave1310]

first step is to try uninstalling the audio and letting windows reinstall it after a reboot. this will let you see if the driver is somehow the problem. it may be updated and such but sometimes they go goofy.

uninstall the sound through device manager and reboot and let windows install the generic driver. if it works now, then you know it's the driver. have you changed anything in the bios lately? it's possible it's disabled through the bios for some reason.

these are simple and easiest things to check first before declaring more complicated problems like sound chip messed up on the mobo or something.

 

[dave1310]

Thanks, Math. Worked just as you suggested. Since the sound is working, do you think I need to find the "real" drivers or just leave it as is?

 

[dave1310]

Afaik You have a proprietary software for Your RealTek HD Audio sound chip, which when some device is connected [headphones, speakers, microphone...] it asks what device was connected. Do You have this software installed?

Yeah, up-link. That's one of the things that threw me on this. As far as the computer was concerned, everything was working properly, including the realtek manager. Only the speakers and my ears knew anything was wrong.

 

[Math Geek]

unless your having problems or missing functions i'd stick with what windows installed. windows update is actually very good at updating drivers as they come out and i usually let it do it's thing unless i need the other drivers for something else. i normally hate the extra bloat that comes with drivers (managers, tweakers, control panels and such) and avoid them when i can. it's just my opinion but have never had any problems with hardware this way. rarely do i need to change drivers and when i do i do it manually so i can avoid the bloat.