Alienware M15X Sound Probs, please help

It solved it for me.. But I got my motherboard, I/O board and the cables replaced...

 

How do you get your motherboard, I/O board and the cables replaced in the first place? I asked because the technical support representative said that it has nothing to do with the motherboard and the cables. What did you tell them to convince them?

 

tell him that it may be due to a static problem with the motherboard. Let the tech guy replace the I/O board and the cables if it does not solve the issue, call the support team and they will have to change the motherboard.

and yes the sound quality on headphones with m15x is not that great as compared to other laptops.

 

I'll probably call dell on thu, after i have submitted my project. Tearing not that obvious anyway, only on high cpu loads (such as during 1920x1080 rendering)

 

Do call them. Hope they can notice there's a widespread sound problem in their product.

 

Hmm

That's what I get.. I guess mine has a faulty sound board? I thought the IDT chip was embedded in the Chipset..

Totally agree with - why does this PREMIUM laptop have such a crappy sound-card..

Give us X-FI accelerated hardware sound please Mr "Best gaming laptop in the world" Alienware!!!

(I bet they have contractual problems or legal issues with Creative haha.. Otherwise it would be an obvious choice to put a PCI-E X-FI mini card in there. Oh wait, Creative don't make those..

 

Alright guys, as promised, here is the update of the process.
Apparently, by replacing the I/O board alone didn't solve the issue. Therefore, I/O board is not the cause. It seems that motherboard is the culprit. By replacing the motherboard, the sound has no longer tearing, crackle or produce any sign of poor quality sound. In fact, the sound produced through the jacks are very good now. Thanks to a very professional technician who did the job changing it. Anyway. I noticed the motherboard came with A03 bios installed. Do you think it has something to do with the bios?

 

Congratz!!! No it has nothing to do with the bios because both of my m15x's had A03 bios... Flashed the bios couple of times to check for any improvements.. How is sound quality on the earphones because its not that good as compared to other laptops like vaio fw series for me.

Did you get all the jacks back or it still says c sub

 

If it is the motherboard, then the things are more frustrating, because I had my motherboard already replaced due to the infamous BIOS Update.

The only thing that I have not tried after the replacement was a fresh installation of Windows 7. But I am not quite keen to tackle such enterprise because I will have a lot to do to get the installation to the point that I have it right now.

Therefore, will try to exhaust all possible tweaks, tricks and software... overall because many of us will benefit. What a good will !!! Je je je crappy statement.

Let's see.

 

Sorry for the late response. Anyway, there's only c-sub listed but the sound quality is dramatically improved. No distortion at all even when I increase the volume to max. And I noticed after the motherboard replacement, all the sound devices have this 2- in front. Just the same as the picture thewhitewizard posted earlier.

NoMyName, if that's the case, I guess there might be some widespread flawed motherboards / sound chips in the M15x?

I highly doubt there's anything to do with the I/O board now. Because the technician who came over to my house had 2 sets of motherboard as well as the I/O board because my neighbor just happened to have an identical (M15x) problem as mine. At first, he tried both sets of I/O board on my system but it didn't work. So, he had no choice but to replace the motherboard. Well, thank God, it solved the sound problem now.

 

May be there's a difference between upgraded A03 bios and Factory installed A03. I heard the A03 Bios update has flaws and Dell quickly pull it off the download server. I guess, may be there's something to do with this. Just my 2 cents.

 

I had A03 bios factory installed in both of the laptops and tried flashing the bios as well.....


and yes it looks like a widespread problem....

 

Do you have CPU-Z installed? If you do, could you execute it and go to the mainboard and see what you get. Sorry I don't have my M15x with me now as I am working. But I do notice something has changed to HS if I am not mistaken.

 

HS???

Whats that "HS"??

Checked mainboard on cpuz

 

hey alienewbie... I still have the tearing issue but only at max volume on earphones ... Damn man... will call up tech tommorow....

 

Damn!!!
Did a lot of digging… Found this.
When you plug on the jack on the DVD side, the sound card should recognise it as headphones. But this is not the case with IDT drivers. Now when you switch it to windows default drivers it recognises it as headphones. You also don’t have the enhancements for headphones with IDT driver. IDT driver just lists out the C-sub port and the default drivers lists out 2 jacks and a separate jack for headphones.

Even though Windows default driver is better than IDT it’s not perfect for the hardware. But with a bit of tweaks you can solve it.



Go to Control Panel > Hardware Sound> Manage audio devices> Speaker Properties>Enhancements>Loudness Equalization tick it and apply it.


Go to Control Panel > Hardware Sound> Manage audio devices>Headphone Properties>Enhancements>Loudness Equalization tick it and apply it.

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!!


I could hear the tearing (very little) only on earphones with volume turned max on media player and volume control. You have to listen hard probably something like RNB at full volumes with headphones to notice this.

 

Alright man, after I dig around, I found this. For my case, the jack that is located nearest to the dvd drive has no problem dealing with max volume but not the middle jack. It somehow still show some stuttering effects when you go max in volume. By the way, I am still using the IDT driver.

 

I am pretty sure you are right again. The enhancement did help the problem. It somehow lower down the max volume. But seriously, when do you think DELL going to come up with a proper solution?!

 

By the way, I do realize that the enhancement tend to make the volume of the sound go up and down. For example, when the musics go loud, the enhancement kicks in and make the music sounds funny. In another way of saying it, it's like your grandma slaps a pair of ear block into your ears when she could detect that the sound went loud.

 

After all these trail and error fix attempts. I can conclude that,
-Replacing motherboard will reduce the tearing and stuttering sound effect ( Provided you get a new motherboard but not a refurbished one or another way of saying it, lucky).
-Replacing I/O board alone will not help at all.
-IDT driver from Dell will give you the functions that supposed to come with the laptop such as display port audio, IDT sound enhancement, SRS surround sound but poor sound volume management and make the sound go way too high and start stuttering.
-Default driver from Windows will give you better sound quality / volume management but with less enhancements and functions.
-Dell is trying to play a joke on the M15x users.

 

I have checked my motherboard with CPU-Z and I found a difference with thewhitewizard's motherboard information, mine is Model M15x A02 while his model is A03.. (not the BIOS version)

Will it has something better/corrected on the audio side? Humm... who knows! Now I am rolling my fingers over the phone to call the DELL Tech to claim for mobo replacement... just kidding... I am OK with my mobo if I am able to manage the sound through software tweaks..

Alienewbie, which model do you have?

 

which bios version do you have...

 

I have A02.. Is CPU-Z reporting mobo model number based on BIOS version?

BTW, where did you find the A03 BIOS Update? You mentioned that you flashed BIOS several times already.

 

yes. inappropraitename_3 has a working A03 bios version. He just has everything..

Hey.. inappropriatename_3 can ya post the link for nomyname.... thnx...

 

the official a03 bios bricked the laptop, but there is one that worked, and i used that to flash my bios with no problems. if you want it here is the link:

http://www.4shared.com/file/207617798/930c61f2/A03.html By inappropriatename_3

just burn to cd and boot from it.

 

Nice summing up buddy..

 

Thanks dude!! Never before I was so scared to apply a BIOS update like this one, the infamous A03... You know, my mobo was replaced due to the windows flasher... grrrrrrr!!! Lot of money was gone in a matter of reboot!!! Je je je

Let see!!! Crossing fingers... je je je

 

Done... BIOS updated from A02 to A03 and diagnostics test passed.

I have also learned that CPU-Z Motherboard model information is based on BIOS version and not physical revision of it; right now my mobo model information is M15x A03 when it was A02 before BIOS update.

 

though so..

 

Did a bit more digging... With windows default drivers and loud equalization fix applied. Try this

1. Connect earphones to the jack on the DVD side.
2. Connect speakers to the jack in the middle.

Play some music...

You will notice some static comming from the speakers without any music..

This might be a problem with the chasis of the laptop.

 

Hey dude, you mean connecting both jacks at the same time?

 

Yes thats what thewhitewizard meant.

I already did it and I did not have any static noise coming from my speakers.

 

but with windows default drivers

 

So, a new motherboard with A03 Bios update can reduce the stuttering sound?

 

Think so... going to try different OS(ubuntu) to check if it is a driver issue....

 

Called up tech support.. they are asking me to send in the laptop.. It takes around 2 weeks... I can't be without m15x for two weeks.. I am going for an escallation ....

 

Tried ubuntu as well same sound tearing issue... But the touchpad driver was awesome man... It was really smooth...

 

if anyone needs a link for a03 bios for M15x let me know.

 

I am going for an escallation ? as in a better laptop ?

 

Hi, a dell technician came and replaced my "A03 flashed to A05 bios" motherboard with a new A03 motherboard, and the audio cracking issues just dissapeared, but the sound properties still shows "csub". I did not flash it to A05 yet and am not planning to.

 

HI guys,

i ve got mah new m15x.....but very sad n confused that my lappy has display error in diagnostics mode sayin tat"unble to modify brightness",
and
now esata port is not workin n
my sound on left speaker is SLIGHTLY disturbing on high volume

and

now my touchpad tracking is too slow n lagging.......

it had a few 3 to 4 BLUESCREEN CRASHES ALSO....OMG

plzzz help me i ve bought it from USA to INDIA ......now i want to extend my warranty to 3 years plllz help me n now i m trying to transfer warranty also.........


ny1 out there plzz help me i seriously wanted this laptop but now its too buggy.... HELP ME OUT PLZZZZ

n my specs are Alienware m15X --i7 820qm, 8gb-1333MHz, nVidia Geforce GTX 260M 1GB ,1920x1080 res, 500gb hdd ,lunar shadow

 

Hi Ashtrix

1. Do a BIOS update to A05... many things got fixed. If diagnostics does not pass, then time to call Dell Support and tell them about, they may issue a mother board replacement.

2. Install latest drivers. But do not install IDT HD Audio drivers they are crap; and yes, there are issues with the on-board sound chip. A mobo replacement seems to be the ultimate solution if you cannot get a good audio using the default Windows HD Audio drivers.

3. Mouse lagging, go to Mouse Settings in Control Panel, Pointer Options and set faster speed and enhance precision.

4. Blue Screen... probably better you reinstall Windows.

5. Warranty, you can ask for International Transfer by applying through Dell Web Site or call Dell Support, they will guide you.

 

Thank u VERY MUCH...

and i ve heard tat bios update A05 had many crashes,

my mousepad problem solved by removing touchpad drivers.........
but how could be dell this much nasty in manufacturing their high-end systems????


n can you tell me what is mobo replacement????? plzz??

 

it means motherboard replacement

 

Any news about of the sound problem?

 

well what seems to solve the issue for me is changing the play back mhz to 44100 in default playback when you right click on properties on any sound device. i have all of my sound devices put to the that playback speed makes a world of difference also i use maximum performance in nvdia control panel in manage 3d settings under program settings and so it doesn't have the nvidia card change clocks as much which i believe is the main culprit here unless some else earlier in this thread has found this before. with adaptive its changes the clocks to much and causes my crackling so this is video card related to me.



also in this screen shot when it drops to low clocks i get a distortion burst will bring this up to dell soon but to busy this week

 

Have no sound cracking problem but in the overall sound quality of the headphones output is bad. Bass is lacking and higher frequencies are over amplified (I am using sennheiser HD580). Initially I was planning to connect laptop to digital (SPDIF) receiver to get decent sound anyway (as typically built-in audio analog outputs always suck no matter what laptop it is) but today I found that there is no SPDIF output on M15x. That was a surprise.

Well I guess ordering some proper external USB audio will be a final solution. Asus Xonar u1 seems to be ok for me.

 

go for the creative express card output

 

Thanks tuenkamen, never seen that thing before. But it looks like Creative Express is replaced by X-Fi Notebook and it does not have SPDIF anymore .

 

i saw it on newegg i will probably go get that when im tired of my gpu downclocking and giving me distortion but its only when im just browsing i normally have music and wc3 on and no probs there cause i force the clocks to max through nvidia control>manage 3D settings>tab program settings

heres the link to the X-fi card if anyone else is interested