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Latitude D630 Audio - Windows 7 x64
I just loaded Windows 7 64-bit on a Latitude D630. So far, the internal mic and external speakers work; but, the internal PC speaker is barely audible. The slider for the internal PC speaker in the sound/speaker setup does not control internal speaker. Is there an OEM option that is not setup properly in the registry?
I guess I just could use headphones, but why hobble the internal PC speaker in WIndows 7? When will Dell release IDT Windows 7 drivers?
Jim Coates
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December 2nd, 2010 17:00
You should use the Vista version of the Sigmatel driver for the D630 -- the R171788.
See section 8 of the Audio Driver Facts faq for instruction on installing it into 7.
There are IDT drivers for 7 but your model uses a Sigmatel driver. There will never be a Sigmatel driver update for 7.
BCG61
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December 2nd, 2010 18:00
I guess that I should have mentioned that I started with R171788 and followed the procedure outlined in section 8 of the FAQ. I may take the time to verify this with the 32-bit Windows 7 and 64-bit Vista distributions. I'm wondering if this is just a bug with the 64-bit code...
Jim Coates
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December 2nd, 2010 20:00
If you do I would be interested to know the results. But is there no difference between using the Sigmatel driver and using 7's native HD audio driver?
BCG61
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December 3rd, 2010 08:00
The D630 SigmaTel driver adds a non-functional PC Speaker output/level slider to the Levels tab of te Speakers Properties. My inital thought is that the hook for this UI option is not complied into the 64-bit code.
-Brien
Jim Coates
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December 3rd, 2010 19:00
When i see the term "pc speaker" I don't equate that with the internal speakers of a laptop. To me, a 'pc speaker' is the low rez speaker on the motherboard of desktop computers and some laptops, which is used only to play system beeps and tones. Now as far as I know our laptops do not have a separate pc speaker but the regiular speakers have to double up for that function. But the 'pc speaker' volume control is not for controlling audio volume. If it does anything -- and I don't know that it does -- I would think it would be for the volume of beeps. On my laptop I keep it turned down all the way or muted. I don't hear any beeps but I also have system beeps turned off a different way so I don't know if the slider actually does anything. I just keep everything I am not using turned down on principle.
BCG61
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December 6th, 2010 16:00
Ok... I tried both Vista SP2 x86 and Windows 7 x86, and both have the internal speaker volume issue just like Windows 7 x64. They all use the same build. Windows XP SP3 x86 is fine, no issue. So, I suspect that the Dell supplied Sigmatel Vista driver is not fully compatible with the D630.
Jim Coates
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December 6th, 2010 19:00
Thanks for the update.
That could be, but that model laptop has been around for a while now and I don't remember ever hearing much negative comment about that driver. But again, is there no difference between using the Sigmatel driver and using 7's native HD audio driver? What I am saying is that you don't have to use the Sigmatel R171788 driver. You can use the one in Vista/7 or this older version of the D630 Sigmatel Vista driver, R153910. Perhaps one of those will give you better results.
BCG61
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December 9th, 2010 08:00
The lack of negative comments is likely due to where and how these platforms are deployed. Since the corporate community didn't embrace Vista, I doubt that there is significant reason for Dell to fully regress test this platform with Vista. Windows 7 is gaining momentum in the corporate community, but most of the systems have already reached the end of their lease, or they are rapidly approaching it. Another aspect of deployment is that a significant number of Latitudes are docked w/external speakers; no problems observed unless thet are taken on the road.
It's likely that most D630s are still running XP Pro. With this platform coming off lease, Windows 7 will start showing up on these units... I will just pick up a set of portable speakers and live with it as is.