head phone jack

[Guest]

Heres one for you, The lap top audio is fine thru internal speakers, but will
not accept any external headphones. Plug them in and the intrnal speakers do
not even cut out. All used to work fine!!

 

[Silvabod]

Almost certainly a mechanical problem. Headphone jack insertion into the
socket physically moves a metal contact which diverts the output from
speaker to headphones (i.e. an electrical circuit switch).
If the jack is physically inserted "in-line (at 180 degrees) no problem.
But, folk tend to push the jack in at a slight angle, relying on the socket
to line it up. Over time, this angular pressure can distort the internal
metal connector to the point where it no longer makes contact - no switch,
no headphones, speakers remain connected (the default connection).

It's a probem which has existed since steam radio ! Replacement connector,
a few cents. Labour cost on a laptop (assuming it is a "replaceable"
connector, not welded/integral to the motherboard) ??? big bucks!!

Of course it COULD be something totally different, but as the speakers
remain in circuit, doubtful.

 

[nesredep egrob]

Heres one for you, The lap top audio is fine thru internal speakers, but will
not accept any external headphones. Plug them in and the intrnal speakers do
not even cut out. All used to work fine!!

The real answer is to go to Dick Smith or someone like them and get a Logitech
USB mike and headphone - make all the difference and makes sense as well as
there is not a lot of work for the computer to do as it is digital to digital.

Borge in sunny Perth, Australia