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    G51Jx audio jack problems

    Discussion in 'ASUS Gaming Notebook Forum' started by nitronovice, Jul 6, 2012.

  1. nitronovice

    nitronovice Newbie

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    So here's the issue;
    I think the audio output jack on my laptop is broken.
    The laptop speakers don't work, but headphones do work.
    I disassembled my laptop and unplugged the audio/usb IO card. The speakers now work again, at the cost of 2 usb ports and audio ports.

    Anyone else have this issue? Any fixes short of sending my laptop in for repair?
    I talked to an ASUS rep over the phone and he said they can't simply send me the IO card even if I pay for it.
     
    nitronovice, Jul 6, 2012
    #1
  2. Sir Robin

    Sir Robin Notebook Geek

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    Are you saying the IO card is just USB ports, and the microphone/headphone
    jacks (no audio controllers etc)? If so, it is possible that the headphone
    jack has some debris in it, that is making the auto-sensing circuit believe
    you have headphones plugged in. You might try checking the audio control
    panel, to see if you can manually override the auto-detect. If that does not
    work, try examining the headphone jack, with a flashlight/magnifier (for debris).
    If all else fails, you can try replacing the jack, on the board. You can buy a
    replacement on Ebay or Digikey/Mouser. They are common parts, that you
    may be able to tear off an old sound card etc. Just match the physical
    dimensions, and the number/position of the pins. Some headphone jacks
    have internal mechanical switches, that short the Left/Right signal pins
    to pass-through pins. These pins are then routed back to the speaker
    amplifiers. If a headphone is plugged in, the pass-through switches are
    opened, disconnecting the speaker amplifiers, from the audio signals. I don't
    think this is how your IO board is wired, however, since disconnecting the
    board allows the speakers to work again. It is more likely that the pass-through
    pins are being used to feed the auto-detect system, and the audio muxing
    is performed on the main board. So, no board = no auto-detected "phantom"
    headphone = no disconnecting the speakers.

    Good luck,

    Sir Robin
     
    Sir Robin, Jul 6, 2012
    #2
  3. nitronovice

    nitronovice Newbie

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    Thank you. I just ordered a new IO board from ebay, as well as a new bottom cover with larger opening for the cooling fan.
    The board is for the G51V, though it looks the same as the G51Jx and G60J laptops. It was also cheapest at $20.
     
    nitronovice, Jul 6, 2012
    #3
  4. Sir Robin

    Sir Robin Notebook Geek

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    Good plan and glad you could find an easy replacement :)

    Sir Robin
     
    Sir Robin, Jul 7, 2012
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  5. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    ALLurGroceries, Jul 8, 2012
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  6. C4RN1

    C4RN1 Notebook Consultant

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    Believe it or not but this problem plagues macbooks. Though there's a red led in the macbook that turns on when the signal is rerouted to the headphone jack. Replacing the board should fix it 100% though i usually use a qtip with the end cut off. With enough pressure applied to the pin that's stuck too far in should disable the signal to the headphone jack and make the speakers work again.

    Either way good diagnostic skills
     
    C4RN1, Jul 10, 2012
    #6