Sound - General

Document ID: 98050223

Posted Date: 1999-05-04

Last Updated: 1999-05-28

Distribution: View Public Website

Applicable Models

Satellite All

Qosmio All

Portege All

Tecra All

Satellite Pro All

Issue

If you have questions regarding the sound or the lack of sound your Toshiba Notebook Computer, this document should help you understand the basic parts of the sound system. There are TWO sound systems at work on most current Toshiba Notebooks. They are:

Procedure

System Sound	The system beeps, phone dialing sounds and sounds that could be qualified as system sounds typically are heard through the a small internal system speaker but can on some models also be heard through the Audio Sound System Speakers.
Audio Sound System	The audio sounds you hear form the audio speakers while playing wave files, media files, when playing CDs, etc. These one or two speakers are typically covered by little screens and are usually located near the keyboard area on Toshiba notebooks.

Adjusting The Sound
CMOS/BIOS	Many Toshiba models have CMOS(hardware) settings that can disable your system sounds and/or your audio sounds. The CMOS settings should be one of the first things you check when experiencing loss of sound. To check these CMOS/BIOS sound functions you will need access the System Settings screen. Hold down the ESC key or F2 (depends on unit), during power-on. Press the F1 key when prompted (If used Esc key above). System Setting instructions should be displayed at the bottom of the screen or in different areas depending on unit.
System Sound Control Hotkeys	FN-F4 - This is the volume control for the internal system speaker and most system beeps. As you hold down the Fn key, tap the F4 a few times. You should notice a change in the volume of the systems beeps. The FN-F4 combination cycles through 4 ranges which are Off - Low - Medium - High. Set it to the highest beep.
Volume Control Knob	This controls the sound output to the audio speakers. Check the physical volume control dial (located either at the front or on one side of the computer) to make sure it is not turned all the way down. If your audio properties are set correctly you can use this rollover knob to increase (roll right) or decrease (roll left) the volume.
Windows 95/98 Volume Control	In the lower right hand corner of the taskbar you will see a small yellow speaker icon. When you left click on the icon a small Volume Control box will appear. Using the slider you can adjust the Audio Master Volume. There may be a Mute box also. If you see a check in that box, you will not be able to hear sound no matter how high you increase the volume.
Advanced Audio Controls	These options offer a bit more control over your sound system. To access the following advanced audio control options, right click on the yellow speaker icon. Open Volume Controls - When you choose this option a Volume Control window will appear. If this is the first time you have used this function it may help to understand a bit of basic audio lingo. Because this is an advanced area only the basics will be covered and for more information we recommend the Windows Help files and a good commercial Windows Multimedia reference manual. Volume Control Mixer - Controls the various components of the Audio System. Windows 95/98 have Playback and Recording Volume Control Mixers which display in separate windows but are accessed from the Open Volume Control Window. Volume Control - This is the master volume control. Once you have set the Pots for each of your components, you will use this Pot to adjust the volume for the total sound of all the components relative to each other. Volume Slider/Pot - Usually called a POT (potentiometer Pots are slid up and down to adjust the volume levels for the individual audio components (wave CD Audio, Line, etc.). There is usually a Volume Control (master and individual pots for each particular component on a system. Each component is controlled by an individual pots because each component has its own unique and individual properties which may enhance or adversely effect the total sound being played or recorded. Individual pots let you boost weak sounds and inhibit stronger sounds to your individual tastes. Balance - A control which gives you the ability to move or balance the audio output between the left and right sides (between the left and right speakers). Mute - You can visualize muting as removing the device from the current environment without readjusting its volume. Shutting off a component or all components - You can lower or mute a Microphone on the Recording Mixer to prevent audio feedback during playback. Audio feedback is heard as a loud and disturbing squeal.
Volume Control Options Tab	Advanced - If checked this Advanced Box is made available when using the Playback Volume Control Mixer. The Advanced Box has sliders that control Bass and Treble of the audio sounds during Playback.
	Properties - The Properties window gives you the option of to choose your Mixer (typically chosen by Windows) and which recording and playback devices are going to be displayed and which will be available on your individualized Volume Control Mixers for Playback and Recordings. Playback Make sure the Mixer device shows a mixer device. Select Playback in the 'Adjust Volume for section'. Check the boxes next to the items you prefer as listed in the 'Show the following volume controls:' box. Click OK. Back in the Volume Control window, adjust the volumes controls (should all be about in the middle). There is a Mute option for each item, ONLY the Mute option for Microphone Balance should be checked. Recording Click on Options/Properties again. Select Recording in the 'Adjust Volume for' section. Check the boxes next to the items you prefer as listed in the 'Show the following volume controls:' box. Click OK. Back in the volume control window, adjust the volumes controls (should all be about in the middle). There is a Select option box for each item, ONLY the Select option for Microphone Balance should be checked. Adjusting Audio Properties This section determines what audio control device is used for Playback and Recordings and is usually set by Windows 95/98 when your audio drivers are installed. There are two option boxes also available on this screen which should be left at their default settings also. Note: If you lose the Yellow speaker icon on your taskbar, be sure the Show volume control on the taskbar option is checked.
External Speakers	If you are using an external microphone or speakers, check that they are securely connected to your computer.
Sound Drivers	If you still cannot hear sound from your computer you should remove and reinstall the sound drivers. The procedure for this can be found in the computer's bundled reconfiguration (or applications/backup CD-ROM) guide.

Export Control and EULA

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