chajun

My Toshiba Satellite M50 has developed a problem. The audio through the in built speakers very low volume, via headphone ok, Ext speakers USB powered ok. What might the problem be?
Regards

TriggerFinger

Hi,

Most often I use a linux liveCD to test my system if the problem (like this one) is caused by hardware failure or bad software. If the speakers behave the same way in linux, then I know immediately that I have a defective hardware (i.e. speakers) that may need replacement.

chajun

Where would I find the item mentioned and will it work on Win XP?
Rgds

TriggerFinger

Oh if you mean the linux liveCD, I usually use Knoppix (www.knoppix.com). I believe it is comes in a ZIPPED ISO file. So may be you need to extract the ISO file into your Desktop. You will need Nero or ImgBurn (I use ImgBurn) to burn the ISO image into a blank CD. If you are using ImgBurn, pop a blank CD in your drive and just right-click on the ISO file, then choose Burn with ImgBurn.

Leave this CD in your laptop drive and reboot. Make sure you can boot from your CD/DVD drive. Sometimes you must need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings to be able to do this.

EDIT:
It will not work in XP as it is not an application. It is a totally different operating system that you run from your CD drive. The good thing is you do not need to install this in your hard drive - meaning no formatting, no partitioning involved.

EDIT 2:
Btw, did the laptop come with XP or was it Vista initially and only downgraded to XP recently?

chajun

Hello came with XP installed

TriggerFinger

If it came with XP may be you need to reinstall or update the drivers first. If you have done so already then try Knoppix. If it behaves the same in Knoppix then it is safe to assume this may be hardware related.