Audio

Hi Madamenay.... I don't do much with laptops but some require the SB X-Fi drivers to be loaded off the included disc. Then there's more control in the control panel.

DS doesn't manufacture their own laptops but assemble and test others like Sager. The Avon is built off the Sager 9753 if you want to Google it and find more info.   Maybe a Sager forums.

Good luck.

putting an expensive add-in sound card into a laptop with crappy speakers is kind of counter-productive, imo, unless you have a decent speaker system you can output to that is.  i can't think of one boutique pc "builder" that manufactures their own lap top chassis.  they all build in Clevo chassis and use various "lap top quality" speakers, which means they're all crap.  you could be getting electrical interference, or you could have speaker/sound card failure, or even a grounding issue (which can damage your sound card).  do you get the crackling sounds with just using the on board mobo sound? 


Edited by db188 - 24 Sep 2015 at 6:13pm

My only other thought is to go into Device Manager and check for conflicts and then try disabling by right clicking  any  audio drivers other than the SB.   You can always re-enable them.   My guess is that you've done this from the troubleshooting you've done.

After that, sending it in for service might be needed.    A huge pain I know.  

Best of luck.

does the bad sound go away when you unplug the laptop power?  is the bad sound still there when you turn down the volume-meaning that there is a "static" sound no matter what you do with the settings?  

typically, laptop power bricks use a 3-pin power cord that doesn't provide enough insulation from ground loop electrical interference.  you can switch to a double-insulated 2-pin power adapter or get a "hum eliminator" to eliminate that source of interference.  anything externally connected to the laptop can be the source of this kind of "external" electrical interference. 

did you try my earlier suggestion to test out the on-board (mobo) sound for the same staticy sound output?  i want to make sure it isn't a bad board, rather than blaming it on your add-in card or speakers.  if you've got headphones, can you try to see if the sound is the same using them?  that way we can bypass the speakers and attempt to better isolate the cause.


Edited by db188 - 26 Sep 2015 at 6:51pm

i'd send the the whole thing back to them.  they need to test too many things (mobo, sound card, speakers, etc.) to find out the problem.  

Bummer!

I've used Sager DTR notebooks for years (typing on one now); if, in fact, your Avon is a rebranded Sager.  And as db188 noted; Sagers are just rebranded Clevos out of Taiwan.   db188 is also totally correct in there is no such thing a "good" notebook speakers......................they all sound like ****.  

My "guess" is your staticy sound is likely a hardware short in something.  As you're aware; the Creative x-Fi portion of your sound system is just software, the actual onboard sound chip is who knows what; though Sager has used a lot of RealTeks over the years.  My current onboard sound chip is a MicroSoft Unit. 

If your Avon is a rebranded Sager/Clevo; verify what model it is, then verify what sound chip you have through Start/accessories/system info/components/sound device; then go to Sager's website, go to the Support tab at the top of their home page, then drivers and manuals.  Pick out your Sager model number and check to see if there is any newer software updates for your sound chip and/or X-Fi control panel (probably isn't, but you never know).  Might save your comp a trip back to DS. 

Sounds like you've already tried isolating the issue via an external speaker hook up--though all that eliminates is the notebook speakers.  If it's a hardware short it will show up in external speakers too.  

Another thing I can suggest [besides lots of unChristianly language ] is to completely bypass your onboard sound by disabling it via the Device Manager/sound, video, game controllers.  Then connect an external sound card and sound system (which is what I've done----but obviously defeats the point of portable onboard sound and speakers).

Have you tried uninstalling the sound chip drivers and reinstalling them?   If i's software...................that might take care of it.   You could do that in conjunction with that trip to Sager's web site/Support/drivers section...........or if you got a drivers disc with the comp; you could just reinstall the included sound chip drivers.  

Good luck....................hope you get it licked soon! 


Edited by Flanker1Six - 29 Sep 2015 at 5:15pm