A quiet weekend is started. But I’ve been hearing for a couple of days about the problems with the new computer. Lots of rumbling. The morning quiet is broken by the phone; can you look at this thing before I take it back?
Sure, I’ll be up some time this afternoon.
Not much later, the phone again; Dad tells me relatives are in town who I’ve not seen in years. They would like to come to our house for a short visit and than all will gather at another’s house for dinner. Sounds good, see you soon.
While here, we are regaled with the tale of how long and hard he’s tried to fix this computer. First, it was getting the password saver to transfer to the new computer (I accomplished this one 10 min period in mid week). The current disaster is there is no sound on the computer. Busted, won’t work. He’s spent hours trying to sort it out. The manufacturer’s help line spent 4 hours total with him trying to find out why there is no sound. It’s 3pm. The store closes at 9 and they have another computer on sale, today only, that he wants if I can’t help with this one. Must get sound.
So we drive to the neighboring town, but Wally world doesn’t carry sound cards, my suggestion for a cheaper fix than a more expensive “on sale” computer. Grab food and take to family gathering. He pretends to be involved in the proceedings, even watches some football with the guys. 6pm: must go. The sound must be achieved.
A quick drive to town and stop in at the store where the computer was purchased. ”We need a Vista compatible sound card please”. They have have just the thing, meets Gpa’s price point and new drivers are online.
Quick to the house. Before we open the box, I check the connections in the back of the computer and check to see if the sound card is working in Vista. Yup, all cool. Sadly, no sound. Is the volume up? Yup the mixer reports the vol at half level.
Shut down, install card, go to bios and shut down the onboard audio. Boot, load driver, install driver…..no sound. Check device manager, and the card is not installed. Damn. Now 7:30 pm. We must go and get the other computer. Wait, let me install the card again….Damn.
Back in car to the store. I suggest that buying a new computer before a complete check out of the current is done is premature. After all, you’ve already spent hours loading your programs and data. Nope, this one is on sale and only for 1 hour more, need it tonight.
While going to the store, I stop at another big box and get a verified Vista compatible card, you know, just in case.
New computer purchased after much hassling of staff over the previous purchase, how to transfer the warranty, what the manager told Dad he’d have to pay. I verify we can bring it back tomorrow….
Home. While headed there, I learn that the manufacturer has sent a second set of speakers during this process. Have you tried them? Of course. Both sets don’t work.
Sitting in front of the busted computer. Time pressure is off now, it’s 9:10 and the stores are closed.
What’s that blue light on the speaker? Shows it’s on. Hummm
Where is the other “new” speaker set? Here. What are those other speakers with the boomer box and such? They came with the old computer. Did they work? Yes. Why are we not using them? They don’t plug into the new computer. Hummmmm.
I install the new Vista compatible card and verify it’s working in the OS. Eureka! It does (but the OS reported the onboard audio to be working also….). Examine the new speaker again. The blue light comes from a switch on the side of the speaker. A switch that acts as an on/off switch and….
A VOLUME CONTROL. Both new speaker sets had the vol turned to zero. A slight twist of the control and voila: SOUND.
I quickly uninstall the Vista compatible card, turn on the audio on the motherboard and….SOUND.
Clean up the mess, package everything back up for return in the morning, remove the new cheap speakers and install better old speakers. Look at the morals of the tale: KISS
