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December 25th, 2010 14:00
Alienware M15x audio issue and resolution
* I am posting this since I have seen a lot of posts out there regarding similiar issues.
Just got done setting up up my m15x - when I noticed the audio crackling both through the speakers and headphones. Not sure when exactly it started. So I decided to start from the beginning but slower this time,
Recovered the original factory image from the recovery partition using respawn (no f10 option but booted fine from recovery cd #1 i made).
Audio seemed fine at this point
started applying microsoft updates - one of which is a microsoft update for the dell wireless 370 mini bluetooth card. After all these were applied and rebooted audio got worse - same thing- crrackle through the speakers and head phones - even crackled when i moved the volume slider up and down.
I then downloaded the latest dell driver for the 370 bluetooth card (which was replaced by the ms one) and applied it successfully.
Guess what? The crackle appears to have gone away after the dell driver was put back on.
I wasn't doing any audio via bluetooth - but it does have an audio component to it. The ms update - i believe, was a month newer than the dell driver. I now make sure the ms updates are set to download only - so i can review before applying.
Regards,
Rich
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rich000
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December 25th, 2010 15:00
Something so simple took so long - if i didnt step through the setup again slowly i wouldn't have caught it
Tesla1856
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December 25th, 2010 15:00
Good trouble-shooting and thanks for taking the time to share.
Yes, most BlueTooth 2.x cards now have an Audio Profile ... so there is a connection there.
In general, this is why I always recommend to people to get their Driver Updates from the manufacturer's website (not Microsoft Update). Just use Microsoft Update for OS updates.
7Leagueboot
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December 26th, 2010 03:00
"I now make sure the ms updates are set to download only - so i can review before applying."
Rich, if you aren't going to install them, what's the point in downloading them?
MS updates have been the source of more than a few headaches for me so I only allow Windows Update to notify me of new updates available. This way I get to see what is being proposed and can then make an informed decision as to whether I want them or not.
MS recommends users to blindly let their system download and install all proposed updates automatically. Personally, I see that as a perfect recipe for disaster. The old adage "if it ain't broken, don't try and fix it" would be very pertinent here.
rich000
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December 26th, 2010 11:00
7leageboot
Good point on downloading. I usually dont have auto install set for updates - but i missed the boat setting up this new machine.
Most of the updates I do apply. Been running 7 since the release and to be honest, the only patch and update issues i have run into have been pretty much related to device driver types which replaced the oem. Night and day compared to vista - 7 has been pretty solid - and this is coming from a unix guy - just dont tell my friends. 
I am very impressed with my m15x thus far.