Adjust the volume (and in some cases the bass, treble, and balance
settings) with advanced sound cards or audio chipsets that have spe-
cialized software controls.It’s called a mixer,and depending on the
complexity of your machine, it can have half a dozen or more volume
sliders for you to adjust.
As you can see in Figure 3-1, even a basic volume control for a modern
laptop can be quite capable. In this instance, the Realtek AC97 Audio
volume control panel used by many laptop makers includes a master
volume and balance control at the left side, as well as individual controls
for Wave (a standard sound format co-developed by IBM and Microsoft
and available for use on most machines), SW Synth (an equivalent of the
MIDI format used to synthesize musical instrument sounds; some sound
cards fully support MIDI and call this control by that name), CD Player,
Microphone, Phone Line, and PC Speaker. In addition to the master con-
trol, each can be individually adjusted and each can be muted.- If hearing no sound at all, look first at the master volume con-
trol.This control is usually the first box on the screen. The slider
should be set to a midway point or higher; if the mixer uses num-
bers, choose a value in the middle of the available range. - Make sure that the Mute All checkbox for the master volume
control isn’t selected.If marked with an X, the mixer prevents the
sound card from producing sound for any device it controls. - Look at the sound mixer’s other output settings.On a typical
machine, these include CD or DVD, Wave, MIDI, Line, and Mic or
Microphone. As with the master control, make sure that volume
settings are at least the midway point, and ascertain whether the
Mute box is selected.
Look for a volume control icon loaded in the Start menu.On some sys-
tems the icon is a miniature version of the master volume control; on
others it’s a shortcut to the full control. Once again, look at the volume
settings and for checkmarks in the master Mute box or in one of the
other outputs.
If using external speakers, ensure they’re plugged into the proper
port on the laptop.If they require a separate electrical current for
amplification, check to see that the external speakers’ batteries are in
place or an AC adapter properly attached. The On switch or button
should be in the proper position. And finally, look for a volume control
on the speakers themselves.The thumbwheel on the laptop case generally does not affect the volume
level produced by external speakers or a headset attached to the audio
output. The wheel only adjusts the internal speakers of the laptop.42 Part II: Explaining What Could Possibly Go Wrong