• Weird solution to fix no sound from speakers

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    #2382353

    Updated an old HP G60-533CL notebook from Win 7 to Win 10 Home v.21H1.Then no sound from speakers. Usual solutions failed (Update Driver, Windows update, Audio Troubleshooter). Successfully applied a fix I saw on HP community forum. The fix was to open msconfig/Boot tab/Advanced options and set max. memory to 3072MB. Sound is restored. As you may have guessed, Windows now reports less memory, i.e. “2.91GB usable”.

    About my Computer reports that Win 10 is a 64-bit system, so how come i have to limit the maximum memory to 3072MB? And, why would that fix the audio when the rest of the system seems to work ok? And, does anyone know a solution that doesn’t involve losing access to 25% of the installed RAM, please?

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    • #2382364

      That PC uses Conexant audio which has known compatibility issues with Windows 10 versions newer than 1909.

      Conexant issued an updated HP audio driver via Microsoft update on Nov 9 2020 (version 8.65.261.310) that’s “suppose” to fix those issues.

      Is your current audio driver that version or newer? If not, you should download and install that update.

      Then reset the max memory back to normal and see if that resolves your audio problems.

      Another possible solution is to go into the sound control panel, select properties for your output device and, on the Advanced tab, lower the bit depth/sample rate.

        i.e. change 24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality) to 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)

      The higher the bit rate/sample rate, the more memory required to support it.

    • #2382399

      Thanks for your reply. Have downloaded your suggested update. I’m keeping that in reserve for now because another possible solution fixed the problem.

      Ran msconfig/run as Administrator/Boot tab/Advanced options/Maximum memory slot which was empty. Typed in 3072MB (the laptop has 4GB of RAM installed), then Apply/OK and rebooted. The speakers now work normally.

      Out of curiosity I returned to the Max memory setting and changed it from 3072MB to 4096MB, then Apply/OK and rebooted again. The speakers are still working normally. So, for now i’ll go with the flow ….

      Thanks again for your assistance and the link to the Conexant fix/update.

      • #2382423

        Just FYI…

        Other users who’ve tried changing the setting from 3072MB to 4096MB have indicated Windows still only reported 3GB of “usable” memory.

        Did the change actually increase the amount of usable memory on your system?

    • #2382409

      What happens if you don’t use the “maximum memory” setting?

      cheers, Paul

    • #2382792

      Windows Update installed …. an update! So, now the situation looks like this, and the sound is working OK.

      I’m attaching a screenshot showing:

      msconfig/Boot/Advanced/Maximum memory (quantity = 0)

      Task Manager/Memory/Hardware Reserved Memory (quantity = 1.1GB)

      About Computer/Installed RAM – 4.00GB 2.91GB usableHP-G60-Available-Memory

      • #2382850

        The Maximum memory checkbox in msconfig/Boot/Advanced needs to be unchecked to allow Windows to access all installed memory.

    • #2382985

      After further testing here’s the result:

      Maximum Memory box checked = Sound works OK. Available memory = 2.91GB.

      Maximum Memory box unchecked = No Sound. Available memory = 4.00GB.

      If Max. Memory box is unchecked and I place a checkmark in the box the memory quantity reads 4096MB. After reboot the Max. Memory box is still checked but the quantity now reads 0 (zero). But, as mentioned above, sound works OK when box is checked. Below are some screen shots.

      HP-G60-Available-Memory-with-Max.-Memory-Box-checked-result-SOUND-WORKS-OK
      HP-G60-Avail.-Memory-after-uncheck-Max.-Memory-Box-result-NO-SOUND

       

    • #2383025

      That PC uses Conexant audio which has known compatibility issues with Windows 10 versions newer than 1909.

      Conexant issued an updated HP audio driver via Microsoft update on Nov 9 2020 (version 8.65.261.310) that’s “suppose” to fix those issues.

      Is your current audio driver that version or newer? If not, you should download and install that update.

      Then reset the max memory back to normal and see if that resolves your audio problems.

      Another possible solution is to go into the sound control panel, select properties for your output device and, on the Advanced tab, lower the bit depth/sample rate.

        i.e. change 24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality) to 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)

      The higher the bit rate/sample rate, the more memory required to support it.

      I downloaded it from the link you provided (Windows catalog, i think), but it won’t install anything. Double-clicking opens it to reveal some files but there’s no Setup or .exe. Tried “extract” also, same result. Tried Device manager/update driver but there’s no .inf file in the download so, again, no install.

      Originally, in Device Manager it was named Conexant Pebble Audio something. BUT, What did happen is that Windows 10 pushed an update on the laptop. As a result the device is now listed in Device manager/Audio inputs and outputs as “Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)”. And, under Sound, video, and game controllers as “High Definition Audio Device”.

      (If I do Update Driver/Browse my computer/Let me choose …, then in the Compatible Hardware box it still lists Conexant Pebble audio …, so I could roll back the driver, but I fail to see what benefit that would have.)

      Anyway, the current state of affairs is that the sound is working OK after I checked the Max. memory box in msconfig. The downside is that usable memory is now 2.91GB instead of 4GB. If I uncheck the Max. memory box after getting the sound working, then the sound stops working again. Details of this are posted elsewhere in this thread with screenshots.

      If you know how to install that file/update you suggested and you’re sure it will fix the no sound issue without sacrificing any usable memory I would be happy to try it. cheers!

    • #2383233

      The download link is a cab file not an installer.

      Here’s how to install the driver in it.

      Extract the contents of the .cab file to a folder.

      1. Open Device Manager.

      2. Right click on the Speakers (High Definition Audio Device) and choose Update Driver Software

      3. Select Browse my computer for drivers

      4. Browse to the folder containing the extracted files and click OK

      If Windows indicates it “thinks” you already have the best driver installed, go back to step 4

      4. Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer

      5. Click the Have Disk button

      6. Browse to the same location (a .inf file should show up as selected) and click OK

      7. Select the appropriate Conexant driver for your PC from the list of drivers it displays.

      Test to ensure everything’s working as expected.

      Good luck!

    • #2479417

      I hate to necropost but yall just saved my ass for real. I’m stuck w this old computer at night cos I let my lil sister use it to chat w her friends and the audio wasn’t working on my dads old computer. This convo helped me a [lot]. Thank you to you gentlemen.

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