Stuttering Sound

cormie

Hi,
I'm just editing a post I made about the actual problem, My question about returning is on post 12 so you can skip ahead to that:)

Hi,
Just as I thought my new laptop was getting on fine, I realise there is a slight stutter every few seconds with the sound. I really don't want to have to send this back and go through all the hassle of reinstalling everything, I'm just about finished and don't want to start over I have speakers plugged in at the moment and the volume is at max, I have no song playing but when I scratch my nail against a key on keyboard I can hear the scratching through the speakers. Is this normal?

There are no "Warranty void if seal removed" stickers over where you put ram etc in under neath, maybe I could just get a replacement and swap hard drives? Is this possible?

Do you think I should return this asap or could there be a solution? It seems to be the only thing wrong with the laptop, I've only had it since Thursday.

Any feedback appreciated, thanks!

EL_Loco

does it play sounds successfully regardless of the stutter?

you might have your sound set to digital output only??

having the volume up full blast may not be helping matters either.

mobile phone interference?

wireless router inteference?

I had a crappy card one time that would buzz when i'd move the mouse around. if you got the exact model laptop and put your HD in it that should work providing all the other elements were the same, as you suggested.

EDIT: is your mic muted? you might be sending out what the mic is picking up through the speakers, so tapping the keys etc would get picked up.

cormie

Yeah there is no problem except for the stutter, and it's not the actual song that stutters, it just sounds like static of some sort as if during the recordings of the songs, someone is crumpling a piece of paper every few seconds.

It happens even with the volume low, I just put the volume up to max to see if it would happen when no audio playback was happening but the sound was still on at full volume, and it didn't. Well I think it didn't, I may have been hearing what I thought was it but it may not have been it. It's more distinguishable when there is a song playing.

What is the digital output you speak of? It happens when I use the laptop speakers and also when I plug my other speakers into the headphone jack.

Laguna

Have had the same problem myself repetitively.

I reckon it's a process cutting in when you're using/listening to sound, have you a wirleless card installed for your laptop, that was what did it to mine (****ing us robotics). If you have, plug it out and you'll be fine...

Another solution is to update to the latest driver for your soundcard, especially if it's made by RealTek, with their resource hungry bastard cards.

cormie

Just saw your edit.. I'm very hopeful, I just tried the max volume and keyboard scratching and when I open the volume thingy and click mute/unmute Line In, the scratching stops and starts.. now for the audio test.. fingers crossed:)

Ahh damn:( just tested it and it's no different. I'm 99% sure it's nothing to do with interference.

cormie

Laguna wrote:

Have had the same problem myself repetitively.

I reckon it's a process cutting in when you're using/listening to sound, have you a wirleless card installed for your laptop, that was what did it to mine (****ing us robotics). If you have, plug it out and you'll be fine...

Another solution is to update to the latest driver for your soundcard, especially if it's made by RealTek, with their resource hungry bastard cards.

I have a wireless card installed, but it's internal. I have it turned off at the moment though because I'm using a usb modem for broadband at the mo.

Where would I get the new drivers? Thanks for the feedback:)

LFCFan

dunno if it's the same thing, but I had a problem with stuttering sound and the mouse was erratic aswell. It was fixed by installing the latest .NET framework software.

cormie

Hi, thanks for the input, what exactly is the .net framework software you mention? Also, to the other post above, how would I go about upgrading the drivers? Surely they can't be that out dated if the laptop is brand new

cormie

I really have to get this sorted soon, what are my rights if there is a problem with it within such a short period? Do I have 28 days to get a full refund or replacement? I like the laptop and would settle for a simple replacement.

Any more ideas? Whats that framework yolki mabob and how do I get new drivers?

Laguna

Just find out what your sound card is. i.e. right click my computer, properties, hardware, device manager, sound - then you should see the name of your sound card. Then simply google the name of the card, e.g RealTek '97 updated drivers. Hey presto. No, just because your laptop is new doesn't mean the drivers are, they could be the drivers that were issued when the maker of your laptop decided to incorporate that particular sound card two years ago.

LFCFan

this is the download for .net

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a8f5654f-088e-40b2-bbdb-a83353618b38&displaylang=en

cormie

Thanks, unfortunately neither the updated drivers or the dot net fix made any difference:(

It's really annoying because it's such a small problem but it would really get on my nerves if watching a DVD/listening to music etc.

Does anyone know what my rights are? Do I have 28 days to return it for a full refund or what is the situation if it doesn't work properly does anyone know?

Thanks:)

Laguna

Well your final resort is to scour the web to see if this is an issue with your particular model of laptop, check forums and the like, the company website etc. If it doesn't seem to be a common problem, I'd get a full refund, it's not really on that you're having to deal with **** like this with a new machine. Dude, get an iBook, Windows laptops have given nothing but trouble for me, I made the switch to Apple laptops and haven't looked back (or had to reinstall Mac OS X..EVER)

cormie

I got this reply from MicroAid when I told them about the sound problem.

Sorry to hear about the sound problem. If it still persists you will have to call the Acer warranty/tech support line for a diagnosis with a technician. Then they will decide what action to take for you. The number is 0044-870-8531000

Is this my only option? Do I not have the right to return for a full refund if the problem persists since I only bought it last week does anyone know?

LFCFan

cormie wrote:

I got this reply from MicroAid when I told them about the sound problem.



Is this my only option? Do I not have the right to return for a full refund if the problem persists since I only bought it last week does anyone know?

The retailer you bought it from is responsible for any issues arising in the first year. It is up to them then to deal with the manufacturer. Don't let them fob you off. Know your rights and stick to them.

cormie

Ok thanks, but would it not just be easier for me to ring them since I've the laptop here instead of going to return it, if there is a solution for it that I wont have to return it etc.

Am I entitled to a full refund within 28 days does anyone know?

savemejebus

2 Questions,
1) Does the stuttering occur at low volumes?
2) have you tried doing a fresh install?

cormie

Yep it's still there at low volumes and I haven't tried a fresh install. I really don't want to (you mean XP right?) as I've tried install new drivers, the .net fix thing and everything else mentioned above, all with no results. I don't want to spend about 2 hours reinstalling XP only to find out it's still the same:(

savemejebus

could be better than being without a laptop for a week. Good luck anyway