*M17xR3/R4 & M18xR1/R2* Internal Speakers not working after using Optical/external audio out

Is this possibly related to the issue I'm having with my new M17x R3's speakers being 'static-y'? The left one has a nasty sound to it, defective possibly?

 

Unrelated, you just need a new set of speakers

 

Just a thought but have you checked that "enable this device" is enabled under the speaker/mic setting in the window Zero posted.....

Edit...forget that, seems they are all enabled by default..

 

Here is your problem that also affects some R3's.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/582794-internal-speakers-quit-working.html

there's another thread with info on this but I can't find it.

 

Unfortunately, I returned my M17xR3. After three units each with their own separate issues, I threw in the towel. Back to my 15" MBP. Good luck to everyone else!

 

My M18x does this exact same thing so Dell has not bothered changing the design. My solution was just like griztron's

Windows drivers work properly with the exception being that one of the headphone jacks does not output but does cut off speaker sound. I can live with that for now.

 

Ya that looks like the EXACT same problem

 

grounds for an exchange

 

But I would get an exchange with the exact same defect and only lose time with the machine. I will keep it in mind though when the R2 comes out

(pockets this flaw for future leverage!)

 

haahahah lmao, but I tried to have 1.2v to my 6970Ms... no luck.

 

The internal speakers in my m17x r3 just quit, I'm guessing its the same issue. Alienware support wants to send a tech to replace the speakers though, so who knows.

 

Yeah I've got the same problem on an m17x R3.... Alienware support wants to replace the speakers even though I tried explaining that they aren't the problem...

I'm going to try to make them fix it with the IDT software, I didn't buy one of these to have to make up solutions myself, not when it's brand new.

 

If they get sound with the windows driver and not the IDT one then I blame the driver

 

I think it's a mix of both, if you reinstall the driver the audio goes away, you swap the board and it works, you plug into the SPDIF/3.5mm jack it doesn't work again...At least, twice in my case.

It might be a mixture of two issues.

 

Ok now I'm getting a bit of it but it's not severe. I just replug my analog sound in and it's good to go.

 

hello brothers.
your sound problems i think is the I/O board

 

It seems like its just the SPDIF jack.... when I use the headphones jacks it still recognizes when I connect something with that popup in the corner.

 

I did initially see the problem after plugging in the SPDIF....maybe it is just THAT jack that is designed poorly

 

Apparently me and the M17x R3 people specifically are seeing this after using the SPDIF jack.

 

Well then, Im not using that SPDIF jack ever. Thanks for the heads up scook.

 

Ya I regret it already

Really do not understand why they had to use this poor layout as supposed to the awesome one they had in the M17x R1/R2. That was the correct way to have 5.1 out of a laptop....could have just had the TOSLINK connector as well on the side and not these "smart" ports

 

Does anyone know how to report a legitimate defect to someone at Dell? This is affecting more than a few users.

EDIT:

Do they make external USB 3 sound cards or the like that actually have optical out? If so, I can bypass the audio jacks completely, woot.

 

I am not sure what the best way to tell Dell is, it will require a hardware change though so do not expect anything from them other than them just throwing new motherboards at you constantly

 

Turtle Beach makes something like that - no idea if it's any good or not. Found this on Newegg:

Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro II Virtual 5.1 Surround Channels USB Interface Analog & Digital Audio Adapter

Has a 3.5mm output jack, and comes with what looks to be the identical optical-out adapter that came with my R3. Looks like Diamond makes one that's 7.1 and has a digital spdif out.

 

Can TOSLINK even do 7.1? Thought it capped at 5.1 due to bandwidth

 

CReative makes one for USB 2.0 Has all the outputs you could want the

Soundblaster X-FI Pro 5.1 has optical out, 5.1 out, stereo out, line in, and mic plus a single headphone jack. The sound is better than the onboard as well. It also come with a remote! xD

 

FRYS.com | CREATIVE LABS

Gets great reviews and it's cheaper at Fry's than Newegg/Amazon. I'll pick these up. Problem averted

 

The current implemntation can't. It is possible though. Optical cables can go well over 10Gbit/s which is PLENTY sufficient for uncompressed 7.1 sound

 

Also, according to reviews the Pro 5.1 doesn't upmix to 5.1 properly. I didn't buy it because of that.

The X-FI HD doesn't support 5.1 according to what a single reviewer said...This sucks =(

EDIT: http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Soun...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1307124522&sr=1-1

Ok so apparently the cheaper one DOES to Stereo->5.1

Maybe I should just buy them both and try them out =/


EDIT 2:

Found the X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro locally at a small shop, picking it up later today.

 

Is the spdif jack affected by this? If all I do is use the onboard speakers when I'm away from my desk, and plug in the optical adapter when I'm at my desk (to feed my set of Logitech 5.1 speakers) will I be ok, or still subject to this problem?

 

That's the main issue...The SPDIF jack.

 

That is exactly what my plan was fjc2 and it led to my speakers on the laptop never coming on because the IDT driver thinks something is always plugged into the SPDIF jack due to a mechanical failure of the jack. All of the other ports work fine though, just no internal speakers when using the IDT driver. For what it is worth I was also only able to get 4 out of 5 channels when connecting my Z-5500s with 3 stereo cables (6-channel direct) presumably also due to that mechanical failure in the SPDIF jack (which can also act like a normal stereo jack)

(assuming you also have Z-5500s?)

 

I will report back later and let you know how it handles 5.1 to headphones. It also has outputs on it but one is black which is not labelled and one is the C/Sub jack...

I seriously doubt the black one is FL,FR,SL,SR ... Maybe it only outputs 2.1 to speakers using those jacks?

I suppose the two RCA jacks could be FL,FR and the black jack could be SL,SR....

Just seems strange to me. I don't understand why the damn Astro MixAmp can't do 5.1 over usb since it is a DAC. It outputs stereo but no surround

 

I have Z-680's, which you can't even find in the old-manual section on Logitech's site - but they work great and have a good subwoofer.

Right now I connect them to my desktop via three jacks (center/woofer, front R&L, rear R&L), but there's also an optical input option. Trying to figure out how I can use them when at my desk without triggering this issue.

 

Are you talking about the X-fi 5.1 PRO? the black is Rear R/L and the two RCA jacks are front R/L, and come with a 1/8" adapter. It works well with my HPA2's which are True 5.1 and I needed a toslink since the R2 does not have one. Honestly not a bad buy for 60 bones, better sound gives me some capabilities I didn't have before(optical out). I would recommend it. Also there is a review out there that says it does not support 24bit audio when 5.1 is enabled that is not true goes upto 24bit 48000KHZ. The 5.1 emulation is ok I used it on my AD-700's, 595's, M50s did a decent job not the greatest though.

 

Gotcha. For now I would avoid the SPDIF jack if you want to keep using the IDT Driver

 

^ Cool

I am going to be picking up some HPA2's...More than enough people have been raving about them.

 

Yah man best True 5.1 headset I have used, The trittons I had PRO and 720 are truly a gimmick they suck at positioning I got rid of them. If you can't find the HPA2's go for the HPX and buy the cable for the HPA2's for like 15 bucks since they are the same.

 

Just ordered per other thread. Will report back on those. Going to test out my A40's with the sound card I bought later tonight.

 

Question about external USB sound cards like the Creative Labs one listed earlier.

If I get that and install the drivers, do I then have both the Creative and the IDT sound cards, and choose somewhere which to use? The Creative Labs one would be great when the laptop is at my desk, but I wouldn't want to lug it around and have to use it if I'm sitting in the living room with the M17x on my lap.

Basically - can I use the IDT with the on-board speakers when disconnected from the Creative Labs, but switch to the Creative Labs usb external card and my 5.1 speaker setup when I'm at my desk?

 

Better yet, it will do it automatically when you plug/unplug the Sound card just set the external sound card to default, and when you unplug it the IDT becomes the default. When you replug it back in it the sound card becomes the default.

 

That is freakin' PERFECT for my needs.

Now - any issue if the external sound card is plugged into a USB hub?
I'm picturing a USB 3.0 hub that has my keyboard, external sound card, and game pad plugged into it - and the only thing I need to plug into the laptop is the monitor cable and the USB 3.0 cable from the hub...

 

As long as you use the USB 3.0 ports I don't see an issue. There's PLENTY of bandwidth for all that.

 

Where is that default set? In Control Panel/Sounds?

And just to be clear on the original issue in this thread - is the problem ONLY with the spdif jack, and not the other jacks (so it's fine to still use them for headphones)?

 

The problem is MAINLY with the SPDIF jack...

I have had an issue with the front port on my original board but plugging/unplugging fixed it.

 

Yup in playback devices

 

just had this problems my self.. although i have a temp fix.. uninstall idt then restart and let windows install its audio driver, go to play back devices and test the 2 speaker icons there one will work the other one doesn't, that should get the audio to work.. my m17x r3 is working perfectly besides the lil issue with i think the stuck connector.. but idk if it is in fact stuck or a software thing.. anyway to check??

 

Hey guys, I don't know if this problem was reported earlier, when I click on the volume level in the traybar, the first time I hear a very low sound, as if only one speaker worked, and then on the second click I hear the actual level of the sound, did that happen to any of you?
And yesterday for the first time I heard buzzing while watching a youtube video, the volume was at 40%. So far I had never heard any sort of buzzing, the speakers were working great. So I went to the sound settings and disabled all plugins, after that the buzzing went, I don't know whether it was just coincidence or if that was really the problem. Any thoughts?

 

I had that happen a few times, rebooting seemed to fix it.

 

just got off the phone with dell after 1.5 hours hold time, and some idiot telling me to do the same then over and over again.. finally they realized that unistalling, reinstally, and installing custome driver for idt wouldnt help they agreed to send out a new sound board and elevate this issue to a high level.. and yes i think it has something to do with the s/p dif jack.. ill post if the swap fixes it.. doubt it but worth a shot