Sound doesn't work. How to identify and lose the problem ?
Hello everybody,
A friend received an old computer (laptop) from one of his friends. There was Window Vista, and the computer (hard disc) was totally full. We decided to replace (with DVD ISO) Windows Vista by Trisquel 6.0 . But his computer blocked regularly or was very slow. I went to a society that has already sometimes helped me. The man told me the hard disc and the battery were out. Big and long changes.
Now I have back this computer (with new hard disc and new battery). Trisquel works, internet with a USB-Key*, because the motherboard was so locked (DRM at his "best") that it didn't accept the libre wifi-cards...
* this one : https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/penguin-wireless-n-usb-adapter-gnu-linux-tpe-n150usb
I tried it in the bus. Just one thing doesn't work (and didn't work before the reparations) : the sound. I hear nothing, even files I use to listen to, with or without headphones.
How can I identify and solve the problem ?
What I can read on the computer :
near the keyboard :
- HP Pavillon Entertainment PC
- SD MS Pro MMC DX
- NEW HP reddot design award winner 2007 ( lol )
- QuickPlay
- HP REMOTE CONTROL
- 5-in-1 Card Reader
- AMD Turion64 X2 Mobile Technoloty
- nvidia graphics
- Broadcom. Wireless
- Altec Lansing
under :
- WINDOWS VISTA TM Home Premium OEMact
- Proof of Licence Certificate of Authenticity Microsoft C 2005 Microsoft Corporation
- X13-04657
- 439112-001
- 00144-184-748-314
- Product Key BHCWF-FV-JOY-X28H7-6C4GW-HF84P
- Product HP Pavillon dv6500
- s/n : CNF7410Q7R
- p/n : KA027EA#UUZ
- dv6620ez Warranty : one year
I understand nearly nothing but perhaps it can help you to identify the computer and the problem.
This time I prefer to solve the problem without the society, just by myself and your help (help on forums). The reparations are not free. ;)
Thank you for your answers.
I guess that the sound card is either damaged or malfunctioning, but I don't think if this is really possible when speaking about notebooks and such.
We can't of course discard the existence of some sort of switch or button to mute the sound card, or to deactivate it.
I never fixed notebooks, so I can't tell you for sure. My guesses are, of course, just guesses, nothing to take seriously.
Best regards, ADFENO.
Have a nice day.
> I tried it in the bus. Just one thing doesn't work (and didn't work
> before the reparations) : the sound. I hear nothing, even files I use to
> listen to, with or without headphones.
Does any hardware appears in the "output" tab of sound preferences?
What is the "output tab of sound preferences" ? Where to find it ?
Sometimes it is as simple as the sound being muted, volume turned very low, or a sound card driver not installed or recognized. Maybe these links will help you...
Commands to list PC hardware specifications:
http://www.linuxandlife.com/2011/11/how-to-check-hardware-specification-in.html
How to intrepret the results of Hardware Lister (lshw):
http://ezix.org/project/wiki/HardwareLiSter
Similar issues from the Trisquel Forum:
https://trisquel.info/en/forum/hdmi-audio-output-not-working
https://trisquel.info/en/forum/trouble-sound
Sound Troubleshooting and Basic Tips from Ubuntu forum:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SoundTroubleshooting
Just a thought - have you tried booting it from something like Linux Mint? I know we don't 'recommend' such distros and I'm not suggesting you install it. But at least that way you'd find out what hardware was problematic and what was just in need of proprietary drivers.
Thank you for your answers. Yes, I thought maybe about the sound card.
Is there a terminal command which can test it ?
We installed only Trisquel 6.0, no other operating system. What will happen if we test Linux Mint ?
The point about booting it from a Mint Live disc is that you might find that the sound works and/or that you can add the wireless device. (Note - I suggest using a live disk rather than installing).
Non-functioning hardware might be faulty hardware, it also might be that the hardware needs some non-free stuff in order to work properly. Thus, the best way to test this is to use a distro that includes the non-free stuff.
At least you then know where you stand and can make a more informed decision as to how to proceed.
Okay, we will test Linux Mint (I have the DVD-ISO). But, whatever happens, we will stay on Trisquel.