# Questions about sound output on my new computer.

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Friday, 19-Oct-2012 18:20:42

Hi,
So, about a week ago, I bought a new HP computer running Windows 7. I had been planning to just reformat my old desktop, but it turned out that it was the motherboard that got fried, so I just bought a new tower. My question is about the audio output from this computer. I'm noticing that sometimes, when Jaws is speaking, the volume will suddenly go up and then down. It also seems like Windows sounds are at a much higher volume than Jaws is, and in Winap, when I'm playing music, the volume is extremely low. I have the main volume set to 100%, and Winamp's volume is also as high as it will go. I thought that maybe this had to do with a lack of ram, since the tower only came with 2gb, so I bought 8gb instead and installed it today. however, the problem is still persisting. I think I remember reading somewhere about a power setting you can change to eliminate this problem, but I can't remember what it is. If someone can help me figure out how to fix this problem, I'd really appreciate it.
Along those same lines, I use a program called Memturbo to keep track of how much ram is free at any given time. It also defrags the ram if it gets too low or if you choose to do so. But what I'm not understanding is why, if there are now 8 gigs at my disposal, I haven't seen the available ram rise above 1700. On my laptop, which has 3 gigs of ram, it would usually hover around 2400 free, unless I was running something like Firefox which is notorious for eating up your ram. Why is this, and could that have something to do with my sound problem?

## Post 2 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 20-Oct-2012 4:50:11

I truly have no clue, but I'm willing to bet your ram slots and sound cards are dysfunctional_

## Post 3 by bea (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 20-Oct-2012 7:23:11

What about your speakers? Any loose wires? Any loose connections? I see speaker settings in my system tray, but I figure you know more about them than I do. Just some ideas.

## Post 4 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 20-Oct-2012 14:31:06

There are settings in the sounds under the control pannel or like Dee says in the systems tray. However. What I believe is your issue is a bad card. A new computer, if it is totally new, and not new to you, should come out of the box with sound setting set.
If you don't know how to get to your sound card, and I advise caution if you are not comfortable fooling around in there, because if you make it stop sounding and you can't see well. Smile.
In the search box on the start type change sound settings. Use tab and shift tab and control tab to move through the different things. Always selecting set to defaults is a good choice until you are easy with changing.
Me, personally, I'd take it back or call HP if you ordered it directly.

## Post 5 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Saturday, 20-Oct-2012 16:20:03

Ok, I fixed the sound issue. I had to disable all the enhancements on my sound card. Now all the volume for Jaws, Winamp and my sounds are the same. I'm still having the issue with my ram though that I described. I'm guessing maybe it's not installed correctly, but if that was the case, I can't imagine that the computer would start at all. One other thing, while I'm thinking of it. After I did install the Ram, my Jaws license was reset, and when I plugged my external hard drives and printer back in, it had to reinstall all the device driver software. Does anyone know what might have caused that? the Jaws issue is a serious problem, because it was purchased for me by the state, and I'm out of upgrades, so I'm stuck with a demo and NVDA at the moment.

## Post 6 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 20-Oct-2012 17:47:05

I am going to speculate that you jostled your hard drive or something to remove your drivers and licenses. Like I said earlier, check out your connections, see which screw or wire's lose, and fix accordingly.

## Post 7 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 20-Oct-2012 21:21:44

No. Whenever you install ram you change the systems properties. Things like Jaws and some other things need to be re licensed.
Jaws is easy. Call or go to the website of freedom scientific and ask for another authorization.
www.fsactivate.com you'll find the form. All you need it the Jaws serial number. You'll get one easy.
To get your serial number if you don't have it go to jaws than about and you'll hear it.
Your Jaws was purchased in your name as well, so calling them and they'll tell you and give you one. No sweat.

## Post 8 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Saturday, 20-Oct-2012 22:26:17

Ok, that makes sense. I wish I'd known that before I went ahead and installed it, so I wouldn't have been surprised, but I'll do that. Thanks.