Did I fry my soundcard?

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 4 Jul 2004 10:58 am

The signal from my computer/soundcard has suddenly deteriorated. Im assuming some component(s)in the card is the culprit. Volume loss, sputtering, hiss, wierd high frequency sound with no lows. I run the OUT from the soundblaster into the aux. input of a Sony stereo tuner which gets me a decent sound for BIAB or whatever.
With the computer still on, sometimes I'll switch from aux. TO tape (on the Sony) to listen to a cassett. I may go back and forth in this manner now and then. My question :
Am I removing a neccessary load on the sound card when doing this?
Also, occasionally Ive unplugged the cord while computer is on to plug something else in the tuners aux.

Bill Bosler · Post by **Bill Bosler** » 4 Jul 2004 11:36 am

Steven:
Do you have one of the older sound cards with a volume adjustment pot on the card? That might be dirty and causing your trouble.
You should be able to connect and disconnect any cable from the sound card with no problems.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 Jul 2004 12:03 pm

I don't think you harmed your sound card.

Try plugging some other computer speakers directly into the sound card before you replace it.

The switch on your stereo might be the problem.
If it is, spray it with contact cleaners and switch it back and forth many times.

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 4 Jul 2004 4:15 pm

I checked everything. Its definitly the signal coming from the soundcard. This is a Audigy 2 platinum soundblaster. Now to decide whether to buy a new card or take it in for a diagnostic.

There was an odd thing the other day thuogh: A window popped up indicating some kind of errors found (some files?) and a prompt to correct. I went ahead and clicked to correct and corrections were done. Now, I have no Idea what that was about and never saw that before. But it was after that that the sound problem occured. Maybe just a coincidence. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 04 July 2004 at 05:25 PM.]</p></FONT>

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 4 Jul 2004 5:35 pm

Also unplug the mini-phone jack coming out of your card, spray it with a little contact cleaner and plug it in and out a few times. Also consider an uninstall/reinstall of the the sound card. Hope ya get it working.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 Jul 2004 6:34 pm

Uninstall the sound card, reboot, then reinstall the drivers.

You might get lucky.