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Audio Problems Front Port and TactX Headset Aurora ALX
My Aurora ALX came in a few days ago with Windows 7. I have two audio problems: I have the standard integrated RealTek audio card installed.
- When plugging in my old headphones into the front port I can clearly hear a lot of static and crackling electronic noise. The sound changes a lot when I switch application such as minimizing my full screen game to the desktop. The noise persist when I have the volume muted. I’ve updated the driver still static. I’ve disabled and uninstalled the driver….still static. I did notice the static noise isn’t there during bootup but starts when Windows loads. This only happens with the front audio port. When I plug into the back port there is no static/crackling noise at all.
- At first I thought it was my old headphone and decided to pull out and try the Alienware TactX headphones. As soon as plug it in the volume is not even half the level of my old headphones, even when I adjust the level on the cord to the highest setting. The static noise is not very noticeable, but that’s because the volume level is so low. I turn up my system volume to 100% and the volume is a little better but not loud as I like and the static is more noticable. When I unplug the TactX headset my front speakers are blasting loud. I think it is impossible to get near “blasting” level of the headset with my computer. Just trying to show the extremely limited volume output level of these headset. Are these headphones designed to be a much lower volume output?
Can any please provide some help with the static/crackling noise of the headphones from the front port and confirm if the Alienware TactX headphones are designed to be much less quiter than other headsets and what the system volume is set at?
I just don’t have the time right now to call Dell/Alienware and go through hours and hours of trying to find answers.
b.meerkerk
4 Posts
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November 26th, 2009 03:00
I have similar problems on my aurora.. I also tried different headphones but the problem is still there.. When I plugg my headphones in the back of my pc then I dont have these strange sounds and it is crystal clear..
I also tried looking at the cabeling inside the case but they are all hidden and put away.. That is a good thing I like a clean case but it is harder to find a solutions.. but I hope that anyone here knows the solution for this problem.
P.S. it is a shame that they did not have the tactx headset promotion in europe and that i did not get a alienware cap :(
RSmith2418
10 Posts
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November 30th, 2009 15:00
Bump.
Anyone else having this problem? I only seen a few others.
I'd love to hear someone from Dell about this.
Yodasmaster
76 Posts
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November 30th, 2009 17:00
I have this problem as well, but you already know that
b.meerkerk
4 Posts
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December 1st, 2009 00:00
yes I replied also on the alienware Niche forum.. my forum name is lampie there ;).. but I would also like an answer from dell..
BruceDB
6 Posts
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December 7th, 2009 22:00
You are not alone, it seems to be a common issue going back MANY years and not only with Dell. I just got a new Studio XPS 9000 system and it also suffers from the front jack audio problems. I was about to send it back and buy an Alienware Aurora for more money with less "stuff" (monitor, gift card, less warranty) however reading this now I have to consider if it is worth it.
Anytime a 3D game (World of Warcraft) is used, or even just moving a window, scrolling in a window, or accessing most anything the noise is heard through the front audio jacks but not noticeable in the back. So far Dell's answer has been to try to replace the front IO Cables leading to the IO Board but because they shipped the wrong part that has not been done. Infact, the tech who came to my home actually messed up my system because he was clueless on how to service my XPS 9000 system. Now I am supposed to be waiting for a replacement system but still do not see it in my order status and that was Friday, it is now after business hours on Monday (Tuesday) at 12:38am. I have to decide if I want to simply return for a full refund (again) or let them send me a new system which will also have the same problems apparently (based on all the posts about this issue). I hate to say it, but Dell seems not to have any solution for this issue that I have been able to find and I will most likely have to end up paying out of my pocket to get USB headphones instead which makes those jacks worthless and useless.
When paying this much for a computer, you expect it to work as advertised not just get something shipped out that has a rather serious and well known design flaw. Shame on you Dell.
johnnyboy24
91 Posts
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December 8th, 2009 00:00
This is known issue with these boxes (and others) from what I can tell. I would love to get mine and do some testing to find out what the issue could be, but its still "in production". I recommended to others to possibly try a small cable ferret, however according to many people there is no room to put it. Others have said a replacement front works, others say that didn't work for them. There is currently a small thread about this in niche as well.
Yodasmaster
76 Posts
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December 8th, 2009 01:00
I do not believe anyone has said the front replacement worked. As far as I know only me and one other person has had the front ports replaced and it worked for neither of us.
johnnyboy24
91 Posts
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December 8th, 2009 02:00
I believe you are right about that and have edited my previous post. Sorry about that.
yeoscove
6 Posts
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February 1st, 2010 18:00
I bought a XPS 9000 with a Xi-Fi soundblaster card, and it had the same problem with the top I/O port giving that static, interference sound through the headphone jack. Didn't matter if I used headphones or earphones. Phone support tried to update my sound card drivers, BIOS, and everything else under the sun. Then, I had technicians come out to my home and replace the I/O port, but that didn't resolve the problem. Then they sent me a brand new tower, but the problem still occurred.
I give up. After much haggling, I'm returning my computer for some other model... ugh. I wish this just worked!
vvaldez
63 Posts
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February 1st, 2010 19:00
My first system had this issue, and was told it was a known issue with the X-Fi card. If you pull out this card, is the static there? I don't have the card now, and don't have problems using the TactX headset. I wonder if a retail card would do the same thing? I was considering trying it, is EAX that big of a deal these days?
yeoscove
6 Posts
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February 1st, 2010 19:00
The problem is only with the top I/O panel, not the Xi-Fi soundcard. I don't have any issues with sound from the soundcard. Just when I plug in my headphones into the top I/O panel.
yeoscove
6 Posts
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February 2nd, 2010 08:00
Thanks for the advice. I uninstalled the Xi-Fi card, and I still had the same static, hissing problem. :(
vvaldez
63 Posts
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February 2nd, 2010 08:00
Well, here's what I'm saying from experience:
With an X-Fi card in my old system, the front/top panel I/O jacks had static.
Without an X-Fi card, my front/top panel I/O jacks do not have static.
yeoscove
6 Posts
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February 2nd, 2010 12:00
Sounds like you're in the same boat as me RSmith. I got my replacement system after waiting one month for it, but it had the same problem as my original unit. There simply doesn't seem to be a fix for this.
Why isn't there some kind of recall on this? This is unacceptable for a high-end system.
RSmith2418
10 Posts
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February 2nd, 2010 12:00
I know it is a problem with the integrated sound card and the front I/O port. I had a Dell Tech come to my house a few months ago and replace the front I/O assembly. However, the problem was still there. A replacement system was ordered back then and I still have yet to receive it...............
I'm glad more and more people are coming up and stating this problem and it's not just me. Why hasn't Dell responded to this problem that is supposed their top-of-the-line gaming system? People use headphones to play games! I want to hear the game and not static electronic noise interferance as well.