So who is a hardware guru? Figure this one out!

[plb]

This is the oddest problem I've experienced from my years of building computers as a hobby. Out of nowhere my audio output got extremely low as in barely audible with the volume turned up all the way. I've been running this PC for years without issue. I thought perhaps it may have been the speakers so I tried a different set...same thing. I tried headphones...same thing. I run both Linux and Windows and get the same thing on both. I've been using onboard audio so I thought I'd try a PCI sound card...same thing! Can anyone make sense of this??

 

[donkey42]

So who is a hardware guru?

don't know if i am, but, i'll give it a shot, it sounds to me like you possibly have the speakers connected to the incorrect output on the sound card

is it connected to the output that is suppose to connect to a pre-amp or powered speakers ?

BTW: open volume control & set all volumes to max & also check control panel, failing that is the speaker wire knacked ?

did you use the same wire with different speakers & sound card, as that could explain it

 

[plb]

I actually touched nothing...one night the speakers were working fine..the next day it was low...I can't make sense of it at all.

 

[donkey42]

I actually touched nothing...one night the speakers were working fine..the next day it was low...I can't make sense of it at all.

that points towards the speaker wire even more

did you use the same wire with different speakers & sound card, as that could explain i

 

[plb]

But I've tried different set of speakers and headphones.

 

[donkey42]

But I've tried different set of speakers

did you use the same wire with different speakers & sound card, as that could explain it

and headphones.

are the connectors at the front of your system ?

because the problem could be internal to your system, also try removing & reinserting the sound card & make sure you push it in firmly & evenly

Edit: obviously turn the system off while reseating the card

 

[plb]

Nope they are at the back and the system...I don't even have any in the front. The system has been working fine for years. Not I didn't use the same wires. 3 different sets of speakers and wires. Both PCI audio and onboard...same thing.