No sound output on abit IP35 Pro MB with Realtek Audio

[Samuel M. Goldwasser]

Ok, that means you have a working sound chip, but no connection
between the chip and the speaker. I can't tell where it's broken from
here. If you can identify the Realtek sound chip, perhaps you can
find the data sheet and identify the sound output pin. Then, use a
scope to see if it's putting out any sound at the chip. If there's
sound at the chip, but not at the output connector, you have a
motherboard with a possible broken trace, blown audio amp (if
present), or broken coupling cazapitor.


Ooops. I forgot that it default to the timer sound output instead of
the sound output. I wrote that in 1985 and my memory is becoming
rather ummm.... dynamic.


Some motherboard run the PC speaker audio through the sound card.
Apparently, this one does not. So much for that idea.


I'll keep looking for some DOS based diagnostics with a sound test. It
may have to wait until I drag myself to my palatial office sometime
next week.

You might find something useful under this review:
<http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/477> (9 pages)
This might be a diversion but could be causing the sound to be muted:
Viiv support (i.e. support for Quick Resume technology, which
allows the PC to imitate the behavior of TV sets, where by
pressing the power button located on the remote control the
screen goes dark, the sound is muted and the keyboard and
mouse stop responding)"

Bingo. It's a Realtek ALC888 sound chip. Digging...
<http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=135>
Data sheet link is at the bottom of the page. Section 6.2 shows front
audio outputs on pins 35 and 36. Dust off the oscilloscope and see if
there's any sound on those pins.

Hmmmm. I'm not sure I'm THAT determined to save $7 on an eBay sound
card. Besides, you know what a rats nest it is inside a PC tower
trying to get a scope probe in there!

A broken trace is certainly possible, but wouldn't it have to be at least
two broken traces?

Thanks for all your efforts!

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[Samuel M. Goldwasser]

OK, I know this isn't a real PC group but generally the people here are
more knowledgeable. ;-)
I was given a PC with an abit IP35 Pro MB with Realtek Audio which
works
in every respect expect there isn't any sound from any output. I'm running
XP with SP3 and, yes, all the volume controls are all the way up, nothing
is muted, and the speakers work fine on the PC sitting right next to it.
I installed the latest audio drivers (though no others since everything
else works) from the abit Web site at:
http://tinyurl.com/9sqrfn

<snipped>

I know that logic dictates using the motherboard maker's website for
drivers, but I have found that a generic driver from the chip maker
will sometimes work when the OEM driver doesn't. It might be worth a
try, anyway: http://snipurl.com/realtek.hi-def. [realtek.com.tw]

"This snipurl has been deleted or is private"

Good Luck

Thanks!

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[Baron]

OK, failures I can believe. This one supposedly worked at some point,
maybe.

Thanks!

No ! the sound never worked. Counterfeit Chinese mainboards. A sound
card was added, plugged into a PCI slot to get around the issue. A
case of scrap them or use them. Minimise the loss !

 

[Samuel M. Goldwasser]

Sigh. It's probably easier to just cram in a different sound card.
Still, it's worth spending a few minutes with a scope trying to
determine the cause. Your time, you decide.

Well at my normal hourly rate of $0.10, it might be worth it.

Sure. If I'm doing motheboard repair, I need access to the bottom of
the board, which requires running everything outside the box. I have
a plywood fixture for doing that.


Good point. However, if there's a common audio power amplifier or a
broken sweat solder job on the output connector, it's possible to
break both at the same time.

True enough.

Incidentally, did you ever try the sound INPUTS to see if the chip is
alive and well? Plug in a microphone and use the Windoze sound
recorder for testing.

I guess I need to do this.

Also, this is kinda dumb and obvious, but might be the problem. The
chip has multiple outputs which can be switched in software. Go unto:
control panel -> sound and audio -> advanced
or just double click the speaker icon in the system tray.
That should display a list of "playback devices". Make sure nothing
is muted, none of the controls are set to zero, and that all the
outputs are correctly enabled (not muted).

The Reaktek control panel recognizes a mic being plugged in but doesn't
enable the associated controls for it???? Sounds recorder doesn't seem
to capture anything.

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[Adrian C]

I have Realtek HD audio on this MSI board with NForce chipset. I think
the audio is perfect and surely wouldn't discredit Realtek, one of the
oldest manufactures of onboard and peripheral electronics including
networking and audio devices.

Sure, there may be some shining examples I haven't come across. The fact
that your chipset is HD must mean they took some care on that one ;-)

As much as possible, if I'm using an onboard sound chipset I try and
find an S/PDIF output and use an outboard DAC connected to that. I find
some sources of music that ye get via broadband really benefits from
that. Nice, non-flabby and crisp ;-)

 

[Samuel M. Goldwasser]

I have a bin full of working PCI audio cards, would you like one for
free?

Too late. I bought a card on eBay. Probably a POS but only $6.41 with
shipping. Creative Sound Blaster Live CT4780. But if you have one that's
better, I'll take you up on your offer.

Thanks!

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