Inspiron 2500: External speaker problem

Question

I am tryin to connect some external speakers to an Inspiron 2500. Its got the Intel Audio Controler thing with the SigmaTel codec. I am running Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 installed. I hook the speakers to the headphone jack, and get a very faint signal. The sound works okay with the built-in speakers, but for some reason anything external is very faint. I know these speakers work - I used them on my old laptop. I also tested with earbuds from my mp3 player. While messing around with the sound settings - if I go under Control Panel -> Sound and Audio Device Properties, there is a button under the 'Speaker Settings' section for 'Speaker Volume'. I've turned these both up, and still its very faint. However, if I turn down ONE channel, (left or right, it doesnt matter), the signal becomes very strong, and it works. However, the sound is limited to one channel, and this is not a solution. I have messed with ALL the settings I could. I've tried to set it for use with different speakers, everything. I cannot figure this one out. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.. --Andy

STGCMTED · Answer

I think the the headphone jack only outputs an un-amplified signal.  Although strong enough for headphones and internal speakers, not nearly enough power for external speakers unless they have their own amplifier.. such as the aux in on a stereo amp.  Hope this helps..

cagoodwin · Answer

Thanks for the reply - but thats not the problem :)

I have amplified speakers. They work fine, with my old laptop, my minidisc player, you name it. I've even used headphones.

The problem is somewhere in the setup or configuration. If I turn down either the right or the left channel, the power comes to full, and I can hear completely through the external speakers/headphone. However, its either the left or the right channel - depending on what I turned down.

This is the most annoying problem I have ever encountered. Everything else works great, I'm happy with everything, but I really need the headphone jack to work correctly.

--Andy

Jim Coates · Answer

Andy,

I don't know what would cause that kind of problem, so I would run the Dell diagnostics to eliminate or confirm that it's a driver problem.

Alternately you might run a different driver. I posted instructions in the thread just prior to this one.

It's almost like the 2 channels are 180 degrees out of phase with each other ... can't imagine how that could happen though.

Jim

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