My sound card hates me

Well, after reading some reviews here and on the Ubuntu Forums I decided to get a Thinkpad X61. The exact specifications are listed in my profile, but I'll list them here just so you don't have to click on anything.

Thinkpad X61
T7300 @ 2.00GHz
2GB RAM
Intel Integrated X3100
Soundmax HD Audio (that's what Windows says)
80GB Hard Drive

Now I should explain that I don't run Windows on this computer often. Actually, until recently I didn't even have it installed. My operating system is usually Ubuntu Linux. I got the laptop "refurbished" (I don't think it was factory refurbished) on ebay. I've had no complaints about it at all.

Anyway, up until yesterday my sound worked fine in Linux and Windows. Something seems to have happened internally. If my drivers were working just fine until now I imagine it's a hardware issue. Sound does not come out of the onboard speakers, headphones, or docking bay. After trying every possible combination of sound settings in both options, I was determined that the laptop's sound card was fried.

Then I decided to try recording. I haven't tried it under Windows yet, but under Linux I can record sound in audacity. The internal mic works, and so does the external.I can see when I speak into it, the wave forms change... My guess is that it's either the onboard headphone jack that has shorted, or the internal speakers. My question is.. What should I do? I know I can get an external sound card, but how much would it cost to get the unit repaired (I am pretty sure I'm not under any kind of warranty, but I'm not sure how I would check)? If it's expensive, could I try just disconnecting the speakers or the headphone jack (yeah, taking the whole thing apart... I don't know if I want to do that)? Has anyone here ever had this problem?

Thanks for any help you can offer, and this doesn't change my opinion of Thinkpads. It's rock solid in every other way... and one of the best deals I could have ever gotten.

 

sorry to hear that. I would go with the external sound, whether it be usb or pcmcia. after you said "(yeah, taking the whole thing apart... I don't know if I want to do that)?" i would not recommend even trying unless your really up to it. i had a pcmcia audigy card and it worked great, didnt really stick out to much and sounded way better than the onboard. it even had an option to play through the internal speakers. (which sounds like its not an option for you anymore)

ive seen some problems with some dell's that have the headphone jack short out the internal pins, maybe somewhat forcefully insert a headphone plug in and out a few times to see if you get anything from that. i used to just replace the sound header board and all was well.

 

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, I've got an expresscard slot instead of PCMCIA. I just went to Lenovo's site, though. I found out that I'm under warranty through September of 2010. I've gotta give them a call. I hear great things about their customer service, so I figure this should be resolved pretty quick.

EDIT: Their website says something about possibly needing proof of purchase. I don't have that. Is it required?

 

glad your still under warranty. i doubt you need your proof of purchase. usually all the info comes from the serial number. if you do still explore an external card, the sound blaster x-fi is indeed expresscard. as long as its a 54mm.

check it here. definetely send yours in for the warranty, cant beat that.

 

Thanks for your help. I may consider picking that one up as a backup, depending on it's Linux support. Otherwise I'll just get the cheap Turtle Beach USB stick. I'll let you know how things go with the service.

 

Sorry for double posting, but I thought some of you might like an update. I called Lenovo on Saturday. They told me I could either have the computer serviced at a local shop that they certified, or I could send it in. Since local shops probably wouldn't have the part in stock (system board) sending it in would be the quickest solution. I was told a box would come on Tuesday, I was to put the laptop in it, send it to them, and I would receive it back in working order within 3-5 business days.

The box came on Tuesday, I shipped it to them, it came back early today. Two days! Most of that was shipping! Hah! I don't know that I'll ever buy a laptop from anyone but Lenovo. Awesome experience. I'll be recommending Lenovo to everyone I know, too.

 

good for you. i once sent a laptop in to dell for service (apparently enterprise techs cant work on consumer laptops) and it was in the shop for 1:45 mins and shipped back to me the next day. all east coast but under 36 hours.

 

T61 are sound cripped .. duh .. as many new other laptops, so we can not do stereo-mix and other cool stuff with sound.

buy the X-Fi Express card from .soundblaster.com -> works perfectly

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=52527

 

For recording I just use my USB mixer. As far as loopback for audio... I don't really need it, but if I do I'll look into that card. I don't think I'll buy x-fi because of terrible driver support (with Linux... and Vista last I knew).Thanks for all the advice/help.

I'm just glad my sound works again, heh.