Speaker Echo

[Dan Kap]

I have a brand new Gateway GT5694 desktop computer, using Windows Home
Premium (x64). I have a set of Altec Lansing speakers which I've plugged
into it, which worked very well with my previous XP computer. There's an
echo in the audio output that's so bad that speech is barely intelligible.
There's also mild distortion in music. Headsets work fine when I switch to
those; no echo at all. Speakers consist of a small left and small right
speaker, and a sub-woofer. They're powered speakers. The speakers' green
input plug (only one) is plugged into the green, speaker output on the
computer. I've tried all the other 3.5mm outputs, and none of the other
outputs work at all insofar as producing sound. I've tried different
settings in the Control Panel (Manage Audio Devices). Does anyone have any
ideas as to what's causing the echo and how I might fix it?

Thanks!

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I have a brand new Gateway GT5694 desktop computer, using Windows Home
Premium (x64). I have a set of Altec Lansing speakers which I've plugged
into it, which worked very well with my previous XP computer. There's an
echo in the audio output that's so bad that speech is barely intelligible.
There's also mild distortion in music. Headsets work fine when I switch to
those; no echo at all. Speakers consist of a small left and small right
speaker, and a sub-woofer. They're powered speakers. The speakers' green
input plug (only one) is plugged into the green, speaker output on the
computer. I've tried all the other 3.5mm outputs, and none of the other
outputs work at all insofar as producing sound. I've tried different
settings in the Control Panel (Manage Audio Devices). Does anyone have any
ideas as to what's causing the echo and how I might fix it?

Thanks!

It sounds to me like you have to manually turn off the internal speakers.

 

[Malcolm McCaffery]

Have you tried gateway support at
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1015569R/1015569Rnv.shtml

regards,

Malcolm.

 

[Curious]

If the computer has a built in microphone is there any possibility that it
is enabled?

 

[Dan Kap]

Thanks for the suggestion, Curious. Not only is there no built-in mic
anywhere, I've ensured that every single audio device, other than the
speakers, is disabled via the control panel. Have rebooted the computer many
times to make sure the changes have taken place.

Dan

 

[Dan Kap]

Thanks for the reply, Malcolm. No, haven't contacted Gateway support
yet--and thanks for the link. Figured the quickest solution would be to try
and fix the problem myself first. But I'm sure I'll be resorting to
Gateway's support.

 

[Dan Kap]

Thanks for the reply, Gene. What are the "internal speakers," and how do I
manually turn them off? I'll try anything at this point! Via the Control
Panel, I've disabled every sound device the computer offers, other than the
speakers. But your suggestion may be one that I missed.

 

[Manny Weisbord]

Thanks for the reply, Gene. What are the "internal speakers," and how do I
manually turn them off? I'll try anything at this point! Via the Control
Panel, I've disabled every sound device the computer offers, other than the
speakers. But your suggestion may be one that I missed.

I think "Gene" blew that one out of his arse. I've not seen a desktop
with internal speakers EVER.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Actually, I accidentally lied to you. Most desktops don't have internal
speakers and most laptops do. You said "desktop" and I didn't notice...

My desktop does have internal speakers, but it's an all-in-one, and like
many of those, it's basically a topologically distorted laptop

Now I'm thinking that the echo is coming from the same speakers that the
main sound is coming from. Is that true?

Re your other comment about disabling every sound device: I have to ask,
are you disabling the *output* devices? Audio controls seem to vary a lot,
but most of them segregate "playback" devices from "recording" devices, and
it's the playback ones you need to turn off. It isn't that I think you
don't know that, it's just that maybe it got overlooked in the heat of the
struggle; which is why I had to say "I have to ask".

 

[Peter Foldes]

Every Desktop has an internal speaker Manny. This speaker is not as per say for
listening to music and etc but it is the speaker that formulates the beeps that are
the sounds for an error code. If you open your case you will also see a small 16
inch speaker on the inside of the front panel.

Also Micron manufactured Desktops that had internal speakers for sound installed

 

[Manny Weisbord]

Every Desktop has an internal speaker Manny. This speaker is not as per say for
listening to music and etc but it is the speaker that formulates the beeps that are
the sounds for an error code. If you open your case you will also see a small 16
inch speaker on the inside of the front panel.

I fully KNOW that... but that little "beep" speaker is NOT the problem
- as YOU well know.

Also Micron manufactured Desktops that had internal speakers for sound installed

How many Micron computers are currently in use?

 

[Woody]

Are you using digital speakers on an analog output or <>

 

[RalfG]

Since you don't have a microphone attached my first guess would be that
you've got one of the custom environment settings enabled in the Realtek
audio driver. The icon might not be enabled in the notification area but
there should be a Realtek applet in Control Panel. Look on the sound effects
tab for the environment selections. The default would be "none", with
several of the optional environments adding noticeable echo to one degree or
another.

If you can't fix it by changing the options you could try reinstalling or
updating the audio driver.

 

[Dan Kap]

Ralf, that was it!! The culprit was, as you said, the Realtek HD Audio
Manager | Sound Effects. Don't ask me why, but it had been on "Bathroom" all
along. Changed it to "None," as you'd suggested, and the echo problem went
away immediately. So, thanks again!

Dan

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I think "Gene" blew that one out of his arse. I've not seen a desktop
with internal speakers EVER.

Then you might like to look at this computer. It is a desktop with internal
speakers. It is running Vista Home Premium x64, so it's not a relic of the
old days.

Of course, if you did see it, you'd have to give up your prejudice.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

That is very funny, IMO...Especially now that you know the answer

Who would have thought? (RalfG, evidently.)

It looks like "Bathroom" must be the default setting, chosen for its
evident appropriateness. (Kidding, of course.)

 

[Curious]

You forgot the link.

Then you might like to look at this computer. It is a desktop with
internal
speakers. It is running Vista Home Premium x64, so it's not a relic of the
old days.

Of course, if you did see it, you'd have to give up your prejudice.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

No, I didn't give a link.

You forgot the link.

 

[Curious]

Well then what computer do you want us to look at:

"'

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

*This* computer - the one I am using as I type.

Well, you guys are no fun ...so I'll stop pulling your chains.

Sony Vaio VGC-JS130J.

Intel Dual Core 64-bit 2.5GHz CPU, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Vista Home Premium
x64.

With two (2) built-in speakers, in case you are wondering.

Also tons of crapware ... I guess I should have typed :-(

Gino