PC speakers

[riverfever]

I have an IBM desktop at work. I had a set of Boston speakers and sub from my older home desktop that I want to use. I have them plugged in but I get no sound fom them. When I unplug them, I get sound from the internal speakers within the IBM tower. What do I need to do? Thanks.

-river

[Beej]

Toss that IBM in the trash and put in a requisition for a new computer...

:dunno:

[5-90]

Which set? Are they just speakers, or is there some small amplification that would allow them to work with a "headset-level" or "line-level" signal?

Just plugging a speaker in won't usually do the job... However, if there's a small amplifier involved (like on my Creative speakers) or a larger one (like on my Bose MediaMates) or a HUGE one (like on my stereo...) you should be okeh.

I gotta admit, Quake II sounds SO much better on my stereo than those little paltry desktop speakers - I think it's the subwoofer...

5-90

[riverfever]

There's two smaller speakers and then a sub. There's no amp unless there's an internal one in the sub but I do not think there is. No headset. I went into the control panel under "sounds" but it's not allowing me to change anything.

[XJ Dreamin']

Is it an 1/8" stereo plug. On a couple of occasions I've had one that didn't quite fit. I had to fiddle with the plug, pull it out slightly, to get sound.

[riverfever]

Yes it is an 1/8" plug. I don't think that's the issue but I'll try it when I go back tonight for Open House. Thanks for the suggestion.

[riverfever]

I think I might have an idea what the problem is. This computer was upgraded to Windows XP. the speakers that I have are digital. I wonder if the driver is only recognizing analog?

[OT]

Did you plug them into the wall?

[riverfever]

Did you plug them into the wall?

You mean the holes?

[5-90]

I think I might have an idea what the problem is. This computer was upgraded to Windows XP. the speakers that I have are digital. I wonder if the driver is only recognizing analog?

If they're digital/optical speakers, then it might be a hardware issue (the sound card may not have a digital or an optical output...) Check into that, and see if that's the case. I've run across equipment that has both, and that will have one or the other - and if you have to, get the model # of the card and run it on the manufacturer's website (might as well do the speakers as well - probably take you a total of five minutes instead of two...)

5-90

[nhrocker]

You mean the holes?
I think he was referring to plugging them into an outlet. Any external speaker sets I've seen with a sub have an amplifier built in, usually in the sub box, that requires power to operate. No power equals no sound.

Personally I prefer more sound, so I hook my laptop up to my surround sound if I'm at home or my stereo if I'm in my XJ...;)

[riverfever]

I think he was referring to plugging them into an outlet. Any external speaker sets I've seen with a sub have an amplifier built in, usually in the sub box, that requires power to operate. No power equals no sound.

Personally I prefer more sound, so I hook my laptop up to my surround sound if I'm at home or my stereo if I'm in my XJ...;)

I knew what he meant. It's from an episode of Seinfeld.

[nhrocker]

I knew what he meant. It's from an episode of Seinfeld.
Yeah, having never been able to stand more than about 5 minutes of the show I wouldn't be able to get the joke.

You get some sound yet?

[OT]

That was a good one.
The Frogger episode was one of the best.
"Im gonna need a battery. Can I at least steal the battery?"
:roflmao:

[riverfever]

Screw the speakers for now. I have never met ANYONE that did not find that show to be hilarious. Before the onset of DVD players, I had 6 hours of the Sein on tape and all of it was edited for no commercials. I'm still pissed about that show ending.

[riverfever]

http://i8.tinypic.com/250j7ki.jpg

:D

[nhrocker]

Screw the speakers for now. I have never met ANYONE that did not find that show to be hilarious. Before the onset of DVD players, I had 6 hours of the Sein on tape and all of it was edited for no commercials. I'm still pissed about that show ending.Well, I guess you haven't met me. ;) Maybe if I sat down and watched more of it my opinion would change, but like I said, I've never been able to sit through an episode.

I get annoyed with the repetitious writing (I don't think the writers have heard of the comedic rule of 3) and most of all, Seinfeld himself. I would probably really enjoy the show if I watched it, but the big kicker for me is Seinfeld's acting (or lack thereof) and his voice. His stand up is better, but for some reason in the show he goes into that nasaly/whiney voice that makes me think of nails on a chalkboard.

That being said, what I have seen of the show was funny, I just tend to watch something else.

[OT]

Hahaha it's Karl Hungus.