Sound / Audio

[comfortablynumb]

Hello I just acquired a used laptop Satellite 5105-S901 Yahama sound chip, Harman Kardon speakers (sub on bottom)  I'm using Win Xp and the driver from Toshiba.  The sound is very low even on Max Volume, I've checked the settings in the control panel Wave is up full, Volume is up full, Iturned up the others to max as well to no avail.  I checked the advacned properties, and it's set to speakers.

I'm pretty much out of ideas at this point, is it possible this is as good as it gets? Or is there something else I can try?

Thanks in advance!

[Jerry_Lippey · Accepted solution]

Satellite 5105-S901

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I've checked the settings in the control panel Wave is up full, Volume is up full, Iturned up the others to max as well to no avail.  I checked the advacned properties, and it's set to speakers.

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You didn't mention the most frequent reason for this - the tiny physical volume-control dial.

It's located on the right side of the computer near the rear.

[comfortablynumb]

I feel like an idiot now lol, I had to turn a light and look, and sure enough hidden next to the dvd rom drive was a small dial, and it was turned down pretyt low. Off to look for the manual now, so I don't ask any more brilliant questions tonight!

Thanks for the quick and simple fix Jerry =)

[Jerry_Lippey]

You're not the first one to miss that tiny dial.

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Off to look for the manual now, ..

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There's a picture on p. 30.

   Satellite 5105 Series User's Guide

[msbaldwin43]

I have a Satellite Laptop L505D-S5992.There is no manual dial on mine. I have increased the volume to the Max and made sure the mixed sound is at the max but the volume is still too low. It also reajusts itself to mute whenever I am not using it.

[Jerry_Lippey]

Satellite L505D-S5992

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There is no manual dial on mine.

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According to the product tour here, there is indeed a physical volume-control dial on that model.

It's located on the left side of the front, just to the right of the wireless indicator light.

[bennor]

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msbaldwin43 wrote:

I have a Satellite Laptop L505D-S5992.There is no manual dial on mine. I have increased the volume to the Max and made sure the mixed sound is at the max but the volume is still too low. It also reajusts itself to mute whenever I am not using it.

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If your laptop uses the Realtek HD Audio drivers than chances are this audio driver is not configured property. These directions are for Windows 7, other operating systems may require a slightly different set of steps. 

First, either download and install the latest Toshiba audio drivers for your laptop via the Toshiba Support web site, or download and install the latest Realtek HD Audio drivers from the Realtek website.

Second, once the audio drivers have been updated, enable "Loudness Equalization" on either the Start --> Control Panel --> Hardware and Sound --> Realtek HD Audio Manager --> Sound Effects tab, then click OK to save the setting change. Or on the Start --> Control Panel --> Hardware and Sound --> Sound --> Speaker Properties (select Speakers then the Properties button) --> Enhancements tab, scroll down the list of sound effects to enable "Loudness Equalization" then select the OK button to save the setting changes.

Once the Realtek drivers have been updated and the "Loudness Equalization" has been enabled the system sound audio level is much louder, however the DVD and Audio CD audio levels might continue to be low for some users. Also some find that setting the Equalizer, found under the Realtek HD Audio Manager Sound Effects tab or on the Speaker Enhancement tab, to "Powerful" seems to help with the sound levels.

[msbaldwin43]

This went on freeze before I could finish the message. I tried the dial for the volume but I don't think it's working because I found no change in the volume. The dial just keeps turning with no stoping place either forward or backward. Also, I set the sound to the highest level and when I go back to check it again to hear something else it has gone back to mute. I do think there is something wrong with the sound system on here. This is a new computer and I don't want to have to send it back as I need it. I purchased it at Office Depot along with a warrenty from them. Should I take it in there for repair so I can have it back right away?

[bennor]

The volume wheel on my L505 also turns and doesn't stop when turned. From time to time turning it will sometimes bring up and onscreen display that shows the volume changing. As to the muting make sure your not pressing the mute button on the laptop (if it has one). On my L505 the mute button is the far right button of the set of buttons that runs across the top bezel of the laptop between the speakers. Also check the speaker settings by right clicking on the Speaker icon in the Task Bar area and then select Sounds. Then select the Communications tab. Check to ensure the "Mute all other sounds" is not selected. Its possible that Windows is detecting communications activity and muting the speaker (or other sound applications). Also check the other speaker properties setting choices as there might be another application taking control of the speakers and muting them. Also check Skype, if it is running, to see if that program is the one causing the muting of the volume.

If the sound is low see my post higher up for enabling the Realtek HD audio Loudness Equalization. That seems to help others who experience low sounds.

[Jerry_Lippey]

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The dial just keeps turning with no stoping place either forward or backward.

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I believe that's normal for recent volume dials. It's electronic - not mechanical.

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I set the sound to the highest level and when I go back to check it again to hear something else it has gone back to mute. I do think there is something wrong with the sound system on here.

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Try reinstalling the driver.

   Realtek Audio Driver for Windows 7 (32/64)