Win7/64 Laptop: Sound Suddenly Choppy

Hi! I have a Win7/64 laptop at a day program, and recently, its sound suddenly became choppy. I tried the volume control, but that did not work. I need help to troubleshoot this but don't have internet access there anymore.

 

More bad news: today, the sound stopped working altogether.

 

Did you get it fixed?

Did you try reinstalling the sound card/chip set software and drivers?

 

No, but I think it's a hardware issue. I have a set of ear buds to try, but another person in my house doesn't want me to take it out of the house.

 

To easily test IF it's a Windows/driver glitch/problem OR hardware issue. IF you have a spare empty flash drive, load a common free Linux OS of your choosing (Mint, Ubuntu, could even try Tails for example) on it so you can boot from it (IIRC if you make it 'persistent' it will keep all settings changes and driver installs done/needed). Could also do similar with Win 7 but I think it's easier to do with Linux. Or IF the laptop has a CD/DVD Drive could burn a Linux disc and do similar but less flexibility.

 

I'm not willing to try Linux on it, but I'm pretty sure it's a hardware problem.

 

Nothing to loose as you WOULDN'T be installing Linux, just running it live from a flash drive or CD/DVD. NOTHING on the computer's harddrive and/or Windows OS would be changed (UNLESS you chose to do an install of it, which ISN'T necessary/needed). It's just being used as a temporary diagnostic troubleshooting test to rule out software and/or hardware or confirm your feeling it's hardware.

 

Okay. Where can I download it?

 

Right here from the Major Geeks site.

This is a good read. https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/best_linux_distro_windows.html

A whole page/list of Linux distros to choose from https://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortdate/linux_distros.html

Below are 5 programs to choose from that should make it easy to create "Live Linux" USBs with using the flavor(s) of Linux you choose to try/run.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/universal_usb_installer.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/linuxlive_usb_creator.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/liveusb_install.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/autobootdisk.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/multibootusb.html (this one allows you to make a multi boot flash drive so you could put a few different Linux flavors/versions all on the same flash drive to try)

Tails is one Linux OS designed to be a "Live Linux" USB/portable/CD or DVD right out of the box https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tails.html

Here are 3 Linux I suggest that you can try.

Mint: which is a Windows like OS so it should be easier/more familiar for you to use and 100% Free https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/linux_mint.html

Zorin: also is a Windows like OS, BUT is Freemium so some functionality is locked out until you pay to upgrade it. https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/zorin_os.html

Ubuntu: has been around for a long time, so you might be less apt to need to download drivers. But the above 2 have also been around a while and also shouldn't be too bad about drivers being needed. https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/ubuntu.html

I have tried Mint and it's fairly easy to use and I liked it a lot. It's been years since I tried Ubuntu, it was ok to use, but much prefer Mint.


These next 2 are light weight and better for either old hardware and/or systems light on specs.

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/arch_linux.html

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/antix_linux.html


IF the Linux flavor(s) you choose allows for a "Persistence" install on a flash drive, DO IT. Reason being any changes, driver installs, additions will be saved and remembered on that flash drive (think of it like a 100% portable self contained OS on a removable drive you could boot from on some different computers WITHOUT changing or adding anything to that computer's internal drive/original OS.).

One thing you will need to do though, is set said/in question/tested computer to boot from the USB and/or CD/DVD drive First (done in BIOS) IF it isn't already done so. This way when you either plug in your created Live Boot Linus flash drive OR burned Linux CD/DVD you will be able to select them to boot from. Easy to change that boot from order in BIOS back to what it was originally IF/when needed after you are done.

One final thing. Take it slow and READ EVERYTHING and UNDERSTAND what is said BEFORE making a choice and/or making selections in making/creating/burning/using the Linux to USB/CD/DVD and while booting from each used. IF running from CD/DVD when it starts it should give you the option to "Try" OR "Install" it, DON'T select "Install" as it WILL put/Install it on the computer's internal drive in one of 2 ways, either as a dual boot with what ever OS is already on the computer (in this case Win 7) OR totally wipe the drive and only Linux on there. And IF not sure ask here for help from members that know Linux.

Take it slow and follow all the directions and you should be fine/ok. And IF unsure, ask BEFORE doing.

 

Here is a recent thread you may find helpful in choosing a Linux flavor to try on the Live Linux flash drive you create.

https://forums.majorgeeks.com/threads/windows-alternatives.326451/

But seeing as for now, you mainly will be using a Linux on a flash drive temporarily for testing/troubleshooting the audio problems on that laptop you don't need to be too concerned with command lines at the moment.

 

That's a lot to process. I really want it to be different from Windows, though.

 

Also gave you a link with a whole page of different Linux distros, most are vastly different than Windows.

The reason I gave/suggested the Linux distros similar to Windows is because there would be less of a learning curve on a possibly new to you OS and hopefully easier for you to troubleshoot the audio problems on that laptop you can't remove from the location.

It shouldn't be too difficult. I do suggest you make either more than 1 Live USB each with a different Linux flavor (OR a couple multi boot Live USBs each with a few different Linux on them). Reason being, IF one Linux doesn't work on that hardware you can easily try another/different one. Or burn a few different ones to a few CDs/DVDs. Take your time and you should be fine.

 

Okay. I'll look. BTW, you're probably right about the learning curve.