I had a 1720 for awhile, and had sound problems and ended up returning it, but discovered a lot in the process.
I also had ticks and pops (with both the internal Sigmatel and the X-Fi Express card). I had ordered my 1720 with the Draft-N wireless network card and found the quick fix for that was to disable the 802.11(a) band on the wireless network card. I didn't need it (since everywhere I would use it used either 802.11(b) or 802.11(g)). That stopped the ticks and pops right away.
Regarding the X-Fi Audio Express Card. It is not a true X-Fi card - it has a different sound module than the higher end X-Fi's. It does not do stereo mix under Vista (what you hear); it does not do soundfonts under Vista; and it does not do input monitoring (except for the soundfonts, essentially, it doesn't do the same things that the Sigmatel doesn't do). I had ordered the X-Fi Express with my system and came to find this out after hours on the phone with both Dell and Creative. But, if all you want to do is listen to your music, it did that just fine (once I disabled the A-band on my wireless card).
Hope that helps a little. I also loved everything about the 1720; it was the one machine I wanted and the price point was great. But it just didn't do sound well and that was the show-stopper for me. Otherwise, it was an absolutely awesome machine and I was definitely sad to have to return it.
Hi, I am the original poster of this thread. With the above message I now have new information. And, of course questions?
1)How do I disable the A band on the network card after I re-order and receive the new 1720?
2) I want to simply be able to hook up the computer to my high end stereo. Will the sound be great for that? If so, I wonder why the previous poster returned it? Maybe wanted to be able to do other things with the sound.
I can not find any other 17" Laptop on the market with an anti-glare screen and except for the clicks and pops that now I understand I can correct with disabling the A band, the sound was awesome with the Integrated Audigy HD.
All I need is to get rid of the annoying clicks and pops in the sound.
After re-reading the above post, it is clear that disabling the A band will do that. However, on another post, on another board, I read that the wireless 1395 card (the standard option) does not have that capability.
The other two choices are a 1505 wireless N mini card, or, a Next Generation N mini card.
So, which one of these cards have the capability to disable the A band. I would like to re-order the computer ASAP.
I received my 1720 yesterday. Click and pops. All music. Very frustrating, so I was very happy to see this thread, obviously. I'm kind of lost as well on how to disable the A-band on the network card. Can anyone help please? And will this truly solve the problem as I have it when I am not connected via wireless as well. But any help would be greatly apreciated.
Also, I got the X-Fi Audio express card. I was under the impression that it improved the sound quality on the laptop itself. It does not. It may help if you attach external speakers but that was not my plan. So a waste of money for me.
I did not have the clicks and pops, but I did buy the XFI express card thinking it would improve the sound WITHOUT buying speakers. I think their buyflow is very confusing. Yes, I should have called or chatted to ask, but online ordering is so much better and I avoid the other interction.
I contacted Dell 3 times to finally get enough of an answer to feel ok with keeping it. They did offer to exchange my laptop and install the Audigy HD software, but they wouldn't give me credit for the XFI card, even though it was unopened. I assume it was becuz it was past the 15 days for returns on software.
The sound is awesome through my headphones and I do plan to buy some small speakers.
Overall the 1720 is awesome. I am glad I didn't go with HP or Apple, though it was tempting on the latter.
To Michael 1962: You say you have the clicks and pops when you are NOT connected to the internet. BUT, maybe the wireless is still on. So, it is worth a try to disable the A Band. If you can. Which card to you have? Some cards do not have that capability.
Here is how to try and do it:
In Control Panel, go to System. From there, go to Hardware. Then click on Device Manager. This will show a long list of stuff. Look down to try and find your network card. Double click on it. Then choose the Advanced tab so you can get to Properties.
Once there you will see two columns. The one on the left lets you choose the option you wish to change. Look for something like "disable bands". Then on the right colume choose "disable A".
I hope you can disable that band and we will see if that helps. Again, what network option did you order you 1720 with?
Nobody has yet to tell me what available card has that option.
Now we know that ordering the express card sound will not stop the clicks and pops since YOU have one of those and it is still clicking and poping.
Frankly, I do not care that much about the built in speaker sound, but I was going to get the express card if I could just play it through the stereo without the clicking and poping.
Go to your network card in Device Manager. Then simply right click on it and choose Properties. THEN choose Advanced on your wireless network card. I had that backwards in the post above.
Still waiting to hear what card I can order with the Dell 1720 that will give me the option of disabling the A band.
WOW. No more clicks and pops. Thanks William 9787. Your instructions made it easy. I've been playing music for about 45 mins now. Perfect. Just clear music. I'm feeling a bit better about this purchase, although the audio card issue still bugs me. They do not make it clear that this upgrade will not improve laptop audio. I'll get over it I guess.
Now, regarding the wireless card. My purchase was a 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card. In my system it shows up as 802.11n. Does that help? Thanks again.
I am so very happy for you...and you have given me the courage to re-order the 1720. The 1505 wireless N mini card was the second option. Right?
The only thing I have to consider is: Will disabling the A band only stop the pop and clicking IF you have the Express Sound card option like you do. If that is the case, I would consider that money VERY well spent. But, I need to know if I should order it with the card, like you did. Or, If the pops and clicks will go away when you disable the A band even without the card. Please can you do some testing with and without the card and let me know.
So, I originally ordered the computer with the second option: The Audigy HD. Except for the clicks, skips and pops every so often, the sound was awesome through my stereo. I wonder then, if I should order the computer with just the "standard sound" like you probably have without the card inserted, OR the second option Audigy HD like I had before. What do you think? And how does it sound when played thru a stereo without the card inserted?
I have not had the card in since I discovered that it did not work for me, so the physical card made no difference. Just now I deleted the software as well. Still working fine. No clicks or pops. This help?
Well honestly if you have the option of better sound through the laptop speakers I would advise you to go for it. The ONE AND ONLY reason I chose this over HP was that Dell offered sound options and HP did not. (OK, honestly I've found the customer service great as well). And the sound options offered were not clear. With or without the card the laptop speakers sound the same. I have not connected my stereo to it, so I honestly cannot say what effect it would have. All of my audio is connected to my home theater and I'm a bit aprehensive about disconnecting anything to try it out because you can see when it comes to this kind of stuff I'm not all that bright. But I will give it a try on the weekend if you're still undecided.
But I guess the bottom line depends on what your preference is. If you're primarily going to listen to music on your laptop maybe the second option would be better. If however you plan on keeping the stereo attached then maybe the card would be worthwhile.
2 days and clicks and pops free! Thanks again William 9787.
And, to add insult to injury, it appears that I only have one slot so if I have my tv tuner card in I could not put in the audio card anyway. Now I'm not 100% sure about this of course because i don't read directions till it won't work any other way, so if I'm wrong someone please tell me.
To Michael 1962: If you would please test your computer with and without the card played through your stereo.....I would really like to know if there is a difference. Like I said before, without the card the "standard" sound option would take over. UNLESS they upgrade the computer to the Audigy HD option when you buy the card at time of purchase. I am just afraid that I will choose an option where disabling the A band of the wireless card will not stop the clicks and pops. So, it might be best to just duplicate exactly what you did.
I chose the 800mgz T7250 processor that is 2.0Ghz. Which processor did you get?
By the way.....on page one of this rather long thread, there is talk about how you can play your sound card using a USB port. That way you can use another card in the express card slot at the same time. Unfortunately, how to actually do it was never explained. Or, maybe I just couldn't understand. Take a look and see what you think.
Please test over the weekend and let me know. We have both helped each other a bundle! If we can get this all figured out over the weekend I will re-order the computer on Tuesday, since Monday is a holiday.
First of all my processor is 800mhz, T8300, 2.4ghz.
Okay, so this weekend I did a few things. With the card inserted I hooked it up to my stereo. Then I removed the card and hooked it up. Then I uninstalled the software, kep the card out and hooked it up. Honestly, I could not tell the difference. Each time it sounded great, and without the card and software I was using what must be just the standard sound. So I'm not sure what that is telling you, but it might suggest that the upgrade to the card might not be such a great idea. At least for me. I hope that helps.
And then, thinking that the card might have something to do with the popping, after I deleted it I enabled the a band again. Big mistake. Pops big time. So I disabled it again.
It does appear however that I get the occasional pop every now and then. And it is more than mildly irritating. Also, my right speaker vibrates terribly, at low and medium volume. I have no problem with the stereo hooked up because those speakers are then off, but once again, that was not my plan.
I did call Dell to voice my displeasure about the whole pop issue and defective speaker. So they offered to replace the mother board and something else and the speaker. Perhaps my expectations are too high, but I do not think that having to endure that inconvenience after spending $1,800.00 on a product is acceptable. Especially only three days after you opened the box. They said that it could not be returned because 21 days had passed from the shipping date. So I am at fault for not tearing the box open the moment it was delivered. So much for my apreciation of their customer service.
This is my third and final Dell. Never, ever again. Good luck.
Your message is really depressing. I thought the occasional pop or click was solved. Are they going to send out a tech since you should have in home service. Or, are they going to make you send it back? Did they give any indication of how long this will take?
Guess what.......I thought things were going so well by disabling the A band, I got up the courage yesterday and re-ordered the computer. Same processor as yours. I got the Audigy upgrade.....it is still integrated.
I do not think your expectations are too high. The occasional pop really bothered me too. And I thought that was solved. My pops were always just occasional. But like I said, it really annoyed me.
Well, I did read somewhere that a specific video driver solved the problem for some people. It was Nvidia 156.10. It can be downloaded from x-drivers.com at no charge. But, that is for the 256 Nvidia video card option (the third one when you ordered the computer).
We have to find a fix for this for your sake and mine. My new computer is supposed to be delivered on June 3 with next day shipping.
sus4chord
9 Posts
0
May 19th, 2008 16:00
Just a couple of comments.
I had a 1720 for awhile, and had sound problems and ended up returning it, but discovered a lot in the process.
I also had ticks and pops (with both the internal Sigmatel and the X-Fi Express card). I had ordered my 1720 with the Draft-N wireless network card and found the quick fix for that was to disable the 802.11(a) band on the wireless network card. I didn't need it (since everywhere I would use it used either 802.11(b) or 802.11(g)). That stopped the ticks and pops right away.
Regarding the X-Fi Audio Express Card. It is not a true X-Fi card - it has a different sound module than the higher end X-Fi's. It does not do stereo mix under Vista (what you hear); it does not do soundfonts under Vista; and it does not do input monitoring (except for the soundfonts, essentially, it doesn't do the same things that the Sigmatel doesn't do). I had ordered the X-Fi Express with my system and came to find this out after hours on the phone with both Dell and Creative. But, if all you want to do is listen to your music, it did that just fine (once I disabled the A-band on my wireless card).
Hope that helps a little. I also loved everything about the 1720; it was the one machine I wanted and the price point was great. But it just didn't do sound well and that was the show-stopper for me. Otherwise, it was an absolutely awesome machine and I was definitely sad to have to return it.
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 20th, 2008 00:00
Hi, I am the original poster of this thread. With the above message I now have new information. And, of course questions?
1)How do I disable the A band on the network card after I re-order and receive the new 1720?
2) I want to simply be able to hook up the computer to my high end stereo. Will the sound be great for that? If so, I wonder why the previous poster returned it? Maybe wanted to be able to do other things with the sound.
I can not find any other 17" Laptop on the market with an anti-glare screen and except for the clicks and pops that now I understand I can correct with disabling the A band, the sound was awesome with the Integrated Audigy HD.
Please help.
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 20th, 2008 18:00
Once again, It is me, the origiinal poster.
All I need is to get rid of the annoying clicks and pops in the sound.
After re-reading the above post, it is clear that disabling the A band will do that. However, on another post, on another board, I read that the wireless 1395 card (the standard option) does not have that capability.
The other two choices are a 1505 wireless N mini card, or, a Next Generation N mini card.
So, which one of these cards have the capability to disable the A band. I would like to re-order the computer ASAP.
Michaelj1962
5 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 09:00
Hello everyone,
I received my 1720 yesterday. Click and pops. All music. Very frustrating, so I was very happy to see this thread, obviously. I'm kind of lost as well on how to disable the A-band on the network card. Can anyone help please? And will this truly solve the problem as I have it when I am not connected via wireless as well. But any help would be greatly apreciated.
Also, I got the X-Fi Audio express card. I was under the impression that it improved the sound quality on the laptop itself. It does not. It may help if you attach external speakers but that was not my plan. So a waste of money for me.
But clicks and pops help please! Thanks.
GM3173
5 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 14:00
I did not have the clicks and pops, but I did buy the XFI express card thinking it would improve the sound WITHOUT buying speakers. I think their buyflow is very confusing. Yes, I should have called or chatted to ask, but online ordering is so much better and I avoid the other interction.
I contacted Dell 3 times to finally get enough of an answer to feel ok with keeping it. They did offer to exchange my laptop and install the Audigy HD software, but they wouldn't give me credit for the XFI card, even though it was unopened. I assume it was becuz it was past the 15 days for returns on software.
The sound is awesome through my headphones and I do plan to buy some small speakers.
Overall the 1720 is awesome. I am glad I didn't go with HP or Apple, though it was tempting on the latter.
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 16:00
It's me, the original poster....
To Michael 1962: You say you have the clicks and pops when you are NOT connected to the internet. BUT, maybe the wireless is still on. So, it is worth a try to disable the A Band. If you can. Which card to you have? Some cards do not have that capability.
Here is how to try and do it:
In Control Panel, go to System. From there, go to Hardware. Then click on Device Manager. This will show a long list of stuff. Look down to try and find your network card. Double click on it. Then choose the Advanced tab so you can get to Properties.
Once there you will see two columns. The one on the left lets you choose the option you wish to change. Look for something like "disable bands". Then on the right colume choose "disable A".
I hope you can disable that band and we will see if that helps. Again, what network option did you order you 1720 with?
Nobody has yet to tell me what available card has that option.
Now we know that ordering the express card sound will not stop the clicks and pops since YOU have one of those and it is still clicking and poping.
Frankly, I do not care that much about the built in speaker sound, but I was going to get the express card if I could just play it through the stereo without the clicking and poping.
Be sure and let me know what happens.
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 18:00
Mistake in previous post.
Go to your network card in Device Manager. Then simply right click on it and choose Properties. THEN choose Advanced on your wireless network card. I had that backwards in the post above.
Still waiting to hear what card I can order with the Dell 1720 that will give me the option of disabling the A band.
Michaelj1962
5 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 21:00
WOW. No more clicks and pops. Thanks William 9787. Your instructions made it easy. I've been playing music for about 45 mins now. Perfect. Just clear music. I'm feeling a bit better about this purchase, although the audio card issue still bugs me. They do not make it clear that this upgrade will not improve laptop audio. I'll get over it I guess.
Now, regarding the wireless card. My purchase was a 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card. In my system it shows up as 802.11n. Does that help? Thanks again.
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 21:00
Michael 1962,
I am so very happy for you...and you have given me the courage to re-order the 1720. The 1505 wireless N mini card was the second option. Right?
The only thing I have to consider is: Will disabling the A band only stop the pop and clicking IF you have the Express Sound card option like you do. If that is the case, I would consider that money VERY well spent. But, I need to know if I should order it with the card, like you did. Or, If the pops and clicks will go away when you disable the A band even without the card. Please can you do some testing with and without the card and let me know.
Thank you so much
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 22:00
Michael 1962,
So, I originally ordered the computer with the second option: The Audigy HD. Except for the clicks, skips and pops every so often, the sound was awesome through my stereo. I wonder then, if I should order the computer with just the "standard sound" like you probably have without the card inserted, OR the second option Audigy HD like I had before. What do you think? And how does it sound when played thru a stereo without the card inserted?
Michaelj1962
5 Posts
0
May 21st, 2008 22:00
Michaelj1962
5 Posts
0
May 22nd, 2008 18:00
Well honestly if you have the option of better sound through the laptop speakers I would advise you to go for it. The ONE AND ONLY reason I chose this over HP was that Dell offered sound options and HP did not. (OK, honestly I've found the customer service great as well). And the sound options offered were not clear. With or without the card the laptop speakers sound the same. I have not connected my stereo to it, so I honestly cannot say what effect it would have. All of my audio is connected to my home theater and I'm a bit aprehensive about disconnecting anything to try it out because you can see when it comes to this kind of stuff I'm not all that bright. But I will give it a try on the weekend if you're still undecided.
But I guess the bottom line depends on what your preference is. If you're primarily going to listen to music on your laptop maybe the second option would be better. If however you plan on keeping the stereo attached then maybe the card would be worthwhile.
2 days and clicks and pops free! Thanks again William 9787.
And, to add insult to injury, it appears that I only have one slot so if I have my tv tuner card in I could not put in the audio card anyway. Now I'm not 100% sure about this of course because i don't read directions till it won't work any other way, so if I'm wrong someone please tell me.
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 23rd, 2008 00:00
To Michael 1962: If you would please test your computer with and without the card played through your stereo.....I would really like to know if there is a difference. Like I said before, without the card the "standard" sound option would take over. UNLESS they upgrade the computer to the Audigy HD option when you buy the card at time of purchase. I am just afraid that I will choose an option where disabling the A band of the wireless card will not stop the clicks and pops. So, it might be best to just duplicate exactly what you did.
I chose the 800mgz T7250 processor that is 2.0Ghz. Which processor did you get?
By the way.....on page one of this rather long thread, there is talk about how you can play your sound card using a USB port. That way you can use another card in the express card slot at the same time. Unfortunately, how to actually do it was never explained. Or, maybe I just couldn't understand. Take a look and see what you think.
Please test over the weekend and let me know. We have both helped each other a bundle! If we can get this all figured out over the weekend I will re-order the computer on Tuesday, since Monday is a holiday.
Thanks again
Michaelj1962
5 Posts
0
May 26th, 2008 00:00
Hello William 9787,
First of all my processor is 800mhz, T8300, 2.4ghz.
Okay, so this weekend I did a few things. With the card inserted I hooked it up to my stereo. Then I removed the card and hooked it up. Then I uninstalled the software, kep the card out and hooked it up. Honestly, I could not tell the difference. Each time it sounded great, and without the card and software I was using what must be just the standard sound. So I'm not sure what that is telling you, but it might suggest that the upgrade to the card might not be such a great idea. At least for me. I hope that helps.
And then, thinking that the card might have something to do with the popping, after I deleted it I enabled the a band again. Big mistake. Pops big time. So I disabled it again.
It does appear however that I get the occasional pop every now and then. And it is more than mildly irritating. Also, my right speaker vibrates terribly, at low and medium volume. I have no problem with the stereo hooked up because those speakers are then off, but once again, that was not my plan.
I did call Dell to voice my displeasure about the whole pop issue and defective speaker. So they offered to replace the mother board and something else and the speaker. Perhaps my expectations are too high, but I do not think that having to endure that inconvenience after spending $1,800.00 on a product is acceptable. Especially only three days after you opened the box. They said that it could not be returned because 21 days had passed from the shipping date. So I am at fault for not tearing the box open the moment it was delivered. So much for my apreciation of their customer service.
This is my third and final Dell. Never, ever again. Good luck.
William 9787
52 Posts
0
May 26th, 2008 01:00
Your message is really depressing. I thought the occasional pop or click was solved. Are they going to send out a tech since you should have in home service. Or, are they going to make you send it back? Did they give any indication of how long this will take?
Guess what.......I thought things were going so well by disabling the A band, I got up the courage yesterday and re-ordered the computer. Same processor as yours. I got the Audigy upgrade.....it is still integrated.
I do not think your expectations are too high. The occasional pop really bothered me too. And I thought that was solved. My pops were always just occasional. But like I said, it really annoyed me.
Well, I did read somewhere that a specific video driver solved the problem for some people. It was Nvidia 156.10. It can be downloaded from x-drivers.com at no charge. But, that is for the 256 Nvidia video card option (the third one when you ordered the computer).
We have to find a fix for this for your sake and mine. My new computer is supposed to be delivered on June 3 with next day shipping.