M17x Audio Issue - Oh, Alienware...

Problem: When I plug in headphones, the sound is awful. Muffled, scratchy at best. When there is no sound being played, there's a noticeable static sound that ceases when the driver turns off.

I'm aware a similar issue was being had with the M15x, but it didn't seem widespread. This has been ongoing since I got it, but could be overlooked with the use of high quality headphones and external speakers. I just plugged in my new earbuds, and it's not possible to hear the music through the muffling/static.

Question: Is there a better driver I can use? It says the IDT Hi Def driver is up to date, not shocking. Or is this a configuration issue...? Totally at a loss.

This seems like an extension of the touchpad issue to me. Great machine on the whole, but some serious issues with the tech. Advice would be appreciated.

 

I haven't noticed static or muffled sound, but one of the 3 jacks (using 5.1 sound soutput from the 3 jacks) will sometimes go quiet. It usually happens when I load up a game and sometimes I don't notice for a little while. I have found the easiest quick fix is to unplug and replug in the jack that is missing sound.

Does that fix it if you unplug and replug it in? Or does it always sound that way?

 

It's a constant. I have tried unplugging and replugging in - one thing I've noticed is that when it's plugged into the Stereo/Headphone jack (the second back from the front on the right side), on the volume controls it shows exterior speakers as active, rather than headphones. If I plug it into the front jack, under sound devices, it shows exterior speakers as active as well. Changing defaults, reconfiguring sound, and deactivating various drivers/devices, restarting/updating/unplugging haven't changed it in the least.

I'm almost out of ideas other than actually calling support (dread). I can definitely work around it. It's just not pleasant.

I'll keep messing with it, but if anyone else has had a similar problem or similar opinion, it would be good to know.

 

Sounds like the card itself has a problem. I don't have any issues running mine with the same driver.

Probably best to have it serviced.

 

If you can, try to uninstall the driver and see if you can get a default microsoft hd sound driver to work. I havent tried it yet with the m17x but in other laptops with the symptoms you are describing, this worked for me.

 

You and me have the same freaking problem. I notice this cracking sound , when there is a change in the sound stream, for example Windows Media player's Output paused and now play a game/windows tune, i get a distorting sound.

Even Windows's In-Built HD Driver didn't help me out. I called out the Dell Service Center, they think they want my laptop for 3 days with them for testing.

At the end, i still feel it's the Driver problem.